Organic light-emitting diodes comprising carbene-transition metal complex emitter, and at least one compound selected from disilylcarbazoles, disilyldibenzofurans, disilyldibenzothiophenes, disilyldibenzophospholes, disilyldibenzothiophene s-oxides and disilyldibe

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an organic light-emitting diode comprising an anode An and a cathode Ka and a light-emitting layer E which is arranged between the anode An and the cathode Ka and comprises at least one carbene complex and if appropriate at least one further layer, where the light-emitting layer E and/or the at least one further layer comprises at least one compound selected from disilylcarbazoles, disilyldibenzofurans, disilyldibenzothiophenes, disilyldibenzophospholes, disilyldibenzothiophene S-oxides and disilyldibenzothiophene S,S-dioxides, to a light-emitting layer comprising at least one of the aforementioned compounds and at least one carbene complex, to the use of the aforementioned compounds as matrix material, hole/exciton blocker material, electron/exciton blocker material, hole injection material, electron injection material, hole conductor material and/or electron conductor material, and to a device selected from the group consisting of stationary visual display units, mobile visual display units and illumination units comprising at least one inventive organic light-emitting diode; to selected disilylcarbazoles, disilyldibenzofurans, disilyldibenzothiophenes, disilyldibenzophospholes, disilyldibenzothiophene S-oxides and disilyldibenzothiophene S,S-dioxides, and to processes for their preparation.

The present invention relates to an organic light-emitting diode comprising an anode An and a cathode Ka and a light-emitting layer E which is arranged between the anode An and the cathode Ka and comprises at least one carbene complex and if appropriate at least one further layer, where the light-emitting layer E and/or the at least one further layer comprises at least one compound selected from disilylcarbazoles, disilyldibenzofurans, disilyldibenzothiophenes, disilyldibenzophospholes, disilyldibenzothiophene S-oxides and disilyldibenzothiophene S,S-dioxides, to a light-emitting layer comprising at least one of the aforementioned compounds and at least one carbene complex, to the use of the aforementioned compounds as matrix material, hole/exciton blocker material, electron/exciton blocker material, hole injection material, electron injection material, hole conductor material and/or electron conductor material, and to a device selected from the group consisting of stationary visual display units, mobile visual display units and illumination units comprising at least one inventive organic light-emitting diode; to selected disilylcarbazoles, disilyldibenzofurans, disilyldibenzothiophenes, disilyldibenzophospholes, disilyldibenzothiophene S-oxides and disilyldibenzothiophene S,S-dioxides, and to processes for their preparation.

Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) exploit the property of materials of emitting light when they are excited by electrical current. OLEDs are of particular interest as an alternative to cathode ray tubes and to liquid-crystal displays for producing flat visual display units. Owing to the very compact design and the intrinsically low power consumption, devices comprising OLEDs are suitable especially for mobile applications, for example for applications in cellphones, laptops, etc., and for illumination.

The basic principles of the way in which OLEDs work and suitable structures (layers) of OLEDs are known to those skilled in the art and are specified, for example, in WO 2005/113704 and the literature cited therein. The light-emitting materials (emitters) used may, as well as fluorescent materials (fluorescence emitters), be phosphorescent materials (phosphorescence emitters). The phosphorescence emitters are typically organometallic complexes which, in contrast to the fluorescence emitters which exhibit singlet emission, exhibit triplet emission (triplet emitters) (M. A. Baldow et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 1999, 75, 4 to 6). For quantum-mechanical reasons, when the triplet emitters (phosphorescence emitters) are used, up to four times the quantum efficiency, energy efficiency and power efficiency is possible. In order to implement the advantages of the use of the organometallic triplet emitters (phosphorescence emitters) in practice, it is necessary to provide device compositions which have a high operative lifetime, a good efficiency, a high stability to thermal stress and a low use and operating voltage.

Such device compositions may, for example, comprise specific matrix materials in which the actual light emitter is present in distributed form. In addition, the compositions may comprise blocker materials, it being possible for hole blockers, exciton blockers and/or electron blockers to be present in the device compositions. Additionally or alternatively, the device compositions may further comprise hole injection materials and/or electron injection materials and/or hole conductor materials and/or electron conductor materials. The selection of the aforementioned materials which are used in combination with the actual light emitter has a significant influence on parameters including the efficiency and the lifetime of the OLEDs.

The prior art proposes numerous different materials for use in the different layers of OLEDs.

US 2005/0238919 A1 relates to an organic light-emitting diode which relates to at least one aryl compound which comprises two or more silicon atoms. The materials specified in US 2005/0238919 A1 are preferably used as matrix materials in the light-emitting layer. According to US 2005/0238919 A1, the emitter materials used are preferably phosphorescence emitters. They are preferably ortho-metalated transition metal complexes. More specific details with regard to the emitter material used are given in US 2005/0238919 A1 only in the examples. Organic light-emitting diodes which, as well as the aryl compounds comprising silicon atoms, comprise at least one carbene complex as an emitter material are not disclosed in US 2005/0238919 A1. In addition, US 200570238919 A1 specifies a large number of differently substituted silicon-comprising compounds, but only silicon-comprising compounds of the formulae (1-1) and (1-2) which have the following formulae

are used in the examples of the present application.

Tsai et al., Adv. Mater., 2006, Vol. 18, No. 9, pages 1216 to 1220 discloses organic blue-light emitting diodes which comprise 9-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)carbazole as matrix material. The emitter materials used according to Tsai et al. are not carbene complexes.

Yang et al., Angew. Chem. 2007, 119, 2470 to 2473 relates to blue light-emitting heteroleptic iridium(III) complexes which are suitable for use in phosphorescent OLEDs. In the examples according to Yang et al., the hole transport material and exciton blocker material used is 9-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)carbazole. The use of carbene complexes as emitter materials is not disclosed in Yang et al.

JP 2004253298 A relates to organic white light-emitting diodes in which substituted triphenylsilanes are used as matrix materials.

When carbene complexes of the formula (I) specified below are used, it is necessary to use complementary materials (matrix materials, etc.) with a high triplet (high triplet energy) in order that light emission of the carbene complex(es) is ensured. Typically used known complementary materials with a high triplet, however, in combination with the carbene complexes of the formula (I), lead to OLEDs which do not exhibit good efficiencies and lifetimes.

It is therefore an object of the present invention, with respect to the prior art, to provide novel device compositions for OLEDs which have, as a light emitter, specific carbene complexes of the general formula (I) specified below. The materials suitable for the novel device compositions should be easy to obtain and, in combination with the emitter(s), bring about good efficiencies and good lifetimes in OLEDs.

This object is achieved by the provision of an organic light-emitting diode comprising an anode An and a cathode Ka and a light-emitting layer E which is arranged between the anode An and the cathode Ka and comprises at least one carbene complex of the general formula I

in which the symbols are each defined as follows:

-   M¹ is a metal atom selected from the group consisting of metals of     group IB, IIB, IIIB, IVB, VB, VIIB, VIIB, the lanthanides and IIIA     of the Periodic Table of the Elements (CAS version) in any oxidation     state possible for the particular metal atom; preferably selected     from the group consisting of groups IIB, IIIB, IVB, VB, VIIB, VIIB,     VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements (CAS version), Cu and Eu,     more preferably selected from groups IB, VIIB, VIIB, VIII and Eu,     even more preferably selected from Cr, Mo, W, Mn, Tc, Re, Ru, Os,     Co, Rh, Ir, Fe, Nb, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au and Eu, even more preferably     Os, Rh, Ir, Ru, Pd and Pt, very especially preferably Ru, Rh, Ir and     Pt and more especially preferably Ir and Pt; -   carbene is a carbene ligand which may be uncharged or monoanionic     and mono-, bi- or tridentate; the carbene ligand may also be a bis-     or triscarbene ligand; -   L is a mono- or dianionic ligand, preferably monoanionic ligand,     which may be mono- or bidentate; -   K is an uncharged mono- or bidentate ligand; -   n is the number of carbene ligands, where n is at least 1 and the     carbene ligands in the complex of the formula I, when n>1, may be     the same or different; -   m is the number of ligands L, where m may be 0 or ≧1, and the     ligands L, when m>1, may be the same or different; -   o is the number of ligands K, where o may be 0 or ≧1, and the     ligands K, when o>1, may be the same or different; -   p is the charge of the complex: 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; preferably 0, 1 or     2, more preferably 0; -   W is a monoanionic counterion; preferably halide, pseudohalide, BF₄     ⁻, PF₆ ⁻, AsF₆ ⁻, SbF₆ ⁻ or OAc⁻, more preferably Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, CN⁻     or OAc⁻, most preferably Br⁻ or I⁻;     where the sum of n+m+o and the charge p depend on the oxidation     state and coordination number of the metal atom used, on the charge     of the complex and on the denticity of the carbene, L and K ligands,     and on the charge of the carbene and L ligands, with the condition     that n is at least 1;     and if appropriate at least one further layer,     wherein the organic light-emitting diode comprises at least one     compound of the general formula II which is present in the     light-emitting layer E and/or in the at least one further layer,

in which:

-   X is NR¹, S, O, PR¹, SO₂ or SO; -   R¹ is substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, substituted or     unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted     heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring atoms; -   R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷     -   are each independently substituted or unsubstituted         C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, or substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, or a         structure of the general formula (c)

R^(a), R^(b) are each independently substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring atoms or a substituent with donor or acceptor action selected from the group consisting of: C₁-C₂₀-alkoxy, C₆-C₃₀-aryloxy, C₁-C₂₀-alkylthio, C₆-C₃₀-arylthio, SiR¹⁴R¹⁵R¹⁶, halogen radicals, halogenated C₁-C₂₀-alkyl radicals, carbonyl (—CO(R¹⁴)), carbonylthio (—C═O (SR¹⁴)), carbonyloxy (—C═O(OR¹⁴)), oxycarbonyl (—OC═O(R¹⁴)), thiocarbonyl (—SC═O(R¹⁴)), amino (—NR¹⁴R¹⁵), OH, pseudohalogen radicals, amido (—C═O (NR¹⁴)), —NR¹⁴C═O (R¹⁵), phosphonate (—P(O) (OR¹⁴)₂, phosphate (—OP(O) (OR¹⁴)₂), phosphine (—PR¹⁴R¹⁵), phosphine oxide (—P(O)R¹⁴ ₂), sulfate (—OS(O)₂OR¹⁴), sulfoxide (—S(O)R¹⁴), sulfonate (—S(O)₂OR¹⁴), sulfonyl (—S(O)₂R¹⁴), sulfonamide (—S(O)₂NR¹⁴R¹⁵), NO₂, boronic esters (—OB(OR¹⁴)₂), imino (—C═NR¹⁴R¹⁵)), borane radicals, stannane radicals, hydrazine radicals, hydrazone radicals, oxime radicals, nitroso groups, diazo groups, vinyl groups, sulfoximines, alanes, germanes, boroximes and borazines;

-   R¹⁴, R¹⁵, R¹⁶     -   are each independently substituted or unsubstituted         C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, or substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl; -   q, r are each independently 0, 1, 2 or 3; where, in the case when q     or r is 0, all substitutable positions of the aryl radical are     substituted by hydrogen,     where the radicals and indices in the group of the formula (c) X′″,     R^(5′″), R^(6′″), R^(7′″), R^(a′″), R^(b′″), q′″ and r′″ are each     independently as defined for the radicals and indices of the     compounds of the general formula (II) X, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R^(a), R^(b), q     and r.

The compounds of the general formula (II) are easy to obtain and have good efficiencies when used in OLEDs both when used as matrix materials in the light-emitting layer E and when used in at least one of the further layers of an OLED comprising at least one carbene complex of the formula (I) as a light emitter in combination with the actual emitter(s) of the general formula (I), and are suitable for providing OLEDs with a long lifetime.

Depending on their substitution pattern, the compounds of the formula (II) can be used as a matrix in the light-emitting layer E, as a hole/exciton blocker, as an electron/exciton blocker, as hole injection materials, as electron injection materials, as hole conductors and/or as electron conductors. Corresponding layers of OLEDs are known to those skilled in the art and are specified, for example, in WO 2005/113704 or WO 2005/019373.

Structure of the Inventive OLEDs

The inventive organic light-emitting diode (OLED) has the following structure:

an anode (An) and a cathode (Ka) and a light-emitting layer E which is arranged between the anode (An) and the cathode (Ka) and comprises at least one carbene complex of the general formula (I), and if appropriate at least one further layer.

Suitable further layers of the inventive OLEDs are the layers which are known to those skilled in the art and are typically present in OLEDs. The inventive OLED preferably comprises at least one further layer selected from the group consisting of: at least one blocking layer for electrons/excitons, at least one blocking layer for holes/excitons, at least one hole injection layer, at least one hole conductor layer, at least one electron injection layer and at least one electron conductor layer.

It is additionally possible that a plurality of the aforementioned functions (electron/exciton blocker, hole/exciton blocker, hole injection, hole conduction, electron injection, electron conduction) are combined in one layer and, for example, are assumed by a single material present in this layer. For example, a material used in the hole conductor layer may, in one embodiment, simultaneously block excitons and/or electrons.

Furthermore, the individual aforementioned layers of the OLED may in turn be formed from 2 or more layers. For example, the hole conductor layer may be formed from a layer into which holes are injected from the electrode, and a layer which transports the holes away from the hole-injecting layer into the light-emitting layer. The electron conduction layer may likewise consist of a plurality of layers, for example a layer in which electrons are injected through the electrode, and a layer which receives electrons from the electron injection layer and transports them into the light-emitting layer. The layers mentioned are each selected according to factors such as energy level, thermal resistance and charge carrier mobility, and also energy difference of the layers mentioned with the organic layers or the metal electrodes. The person skilled in the art is capable of selecting the construction of the OLEDs such that it is adjusted optimally to the organic compounds used in accordance with the invention as emitter substances.

In order to obtain particularly efficient OLEDs, for example, the HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital) of the hole conductor layer should be matched to the work function of the anode, and the LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) of the electron conductor layer should be matched to the work function of the cathode, when the aforementioned layers are present in the inventive OLEDs.

The inventive OLED may for example—in a preferred embodiment—be composed of the following layers:

1. anode

2. hole conductor layer

3. light-emitting layer

4. blocking layer for holes/excitons

5. electron conductor layer

6. cathode

Layer sequences different from the aforementioned construction are also possible, and are known to those skilled in the art. For example, it is possible that the OLED does not have all of the layers mentioned; for example, an OLED comprising layers (1) (anode), (3) (light-emitting layer) and (6) (cathode) is likewise suitable, in which case the functions of layers (2) (hole conductor layer) and (4) (blocking layer for holes/excitons) and (5) (electron conductor layer) are assumed by the adjacent layers. OLEDs which have layers (1), (2), (3) and (6) or layers (1), (3), (4), (5) and (6) are likewise suitable. In addition, the OLEDs may have a blocking layer for electrons/excitons between the anode (1) and the hole conductor layer (2).

The anode (1) is an electrode which provides positive charge carriers. It may be constructed, for example, from materials which comprise a metal, a mixture of different metals, a metal alloy, a metal oxide or a mixture of different metal oxides. Alternatively, the anode may be a conductive polymer. Suitable metals comprise the metals of groups Ib, IVa, Va and VIa of the Periodic Table of the Elements, and the transition metals of group VIIIa. When the anode is to be transparent, generally mixed metal oxides of groups IIb, IIIb and IVb of the Periodic Table of the Elements (old IUPAC version) are used, for example indium tin oxide (ITO). It is likewise possible that the anode (1) comprises an organic material, for example polyaniline, as described, for example, in Nature, Vol. 357, pages 477 to 479 (Jun. 11, 1992). At least either the anode or the cathode should be at least partly transparent in order to be able to emit the light formed. The material used for the anode (1) is preferably ITO.

Suitable hole conductor materials for layer (2) of the inventive OLEDs are disclosed, for example, in Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 4th edition, vol. 18, pages 837 to 860, 1996. Both hole-transporting molecules and polymers can be used as hole transport material. Customarily used hole-transporting molecules are selected from the group consisting of tris[N-(1-naphthyl)-N-(phenylamino)]triphenylamine (1-NaphDATA), 4,4′-bis[N-(1-naphthyl)-N-phenylamino]biphenyl (α-NPD), N,N′-diphenyl-N,N′-bis(3-methylphenyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4,4′-diamine (TPD), 1,1-bis[(di-4-tolylamino)phenyl]cyclohexane (TAPC), N,N′-bis(4-methylphenyl)-N,N′-bis(4-ethylphenyl)-[1,1′-(3,3′-dimethyl)biphenyl]-4,4′-diamine (ETPD), tetrakis(3-methylphenyl)-N,N,N′,N′-2,5-phenylenediamine (PDA), α-phenyl-4-N,N-diphenylaminostyrene (TPS), p-(diethylamino)benzaldehyde diphenyl hydrazone (DEH), triphenylamine (TPA), bis[4-(N,N-diethylamino)-2-methylphenyl)(4-methylphenyl)methane (MPMP), 1-phenyl-3-[p-(diethylamino)styryl]-5-[p-(diethylamino)phenyl]pyrazoline (PPR or DEASP), 1,2-trans-bis(9H-carbazol-9-yl)cyclobutane (DCZB), N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(4-methylphenyl)-(1,1′-biphenyl)-4,4′-diamine (TTB), 4,4′,4″-tris(N,N-diphenylamino)triphenylamine (TDTA), porphyrin compounds and phthalocyanines such as copper phthalocyanines. Customarily used hole-transporting polymers are selected from the group consisting of polyvinylcarbazoles, (phenylmethyl)polysilanes and polyanilines. It is likewise possible to obtain hole-transporting polymers by doping hole-transporting molecules into polymers such as polystyrene and polycarbonate. Suitable hole-transporting molecules are the molecules already mentioned above.

In addition—in a preferred embodiment—the carbene complexes of the formula (I) mentioned above as emitter materials may also be used as hole conductor materials, in which case the band gap of the at least one hole conductor material is generally greater than the band gap of the emitter material used. In the context of the present application, band gap is understood to mean the triplet energy.

The light-emitting layer (3) comprises at least one carbene complex of the formula (I) as emitter material. This may be present alone or together with at least one matrix material in the light-emitting layer. Suitable matrix materials are, for example, phenothiazine S,S-dioxide derivatives or compounds which comprise aromatic or heteroaromatic rings bonded via groups comprising carbonyl groups, as disclosed in WO2006/100298. In one embodiment, a further carbene complex of the formula (I) is used as matrix material, in which case the band gap of the carbene complex used as matrix material is generally greater than the band gap of the emitter material. In a further embodiment, a compound of the formula (II) is used as matrix material, in which case preferred compounds of the formula (II) suitable as matrix material are specified below.

The blocking layer for holes/excitons (4) may typically comprise hole blocker materials used in OLEDs, such as 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (bathocuproin, (BCP)), bis(2-methyl-8-quinolinato)-4-phenylphenylato)aluminum(III) (BAlq), phenothiazine S,S-dioxide derivatives and 1,3,5-tris(N-phenyl-2-benzylimidazole)-benzene (TPBI), TPBI also being suitable as an electron-conducting material.

In addition, the blocking layer for holes/excitons may comprise a compound of the general formula (II), in which case compounds of the formula (II) suitable with preference as hole blocker/exciton blocker materials are specified below.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to an inventive OLED comprising layers (1) anode, (2) hole conductor layer, (3) light-emitting layer, (4) blocking layer for holes/excitons, (5) electron conductor layer and (6) cathode, and if appropriate further layers, the light-emitting layer (3) comprising at least one carbene complex of the formula (I) and the blocking layer for holes/excitons at least one compound of the formula (II).

In a further preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to an inventive OLED comprising layers (1) anode, (2) hole conductor layer, (3) light-emitting layer, (4) blocking layer for holes/excitons, (5) electron conductor layer and (6) cathode, and if appropriate further layers, the light-emitting layer (3) comprising at least one carbene complex of the formula (I) and at least one compound of the formula (II), and the blocking layer for holes/excitons at least one compound of the formula (II).

In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to an inventive OLED comprising layers (1) anode, (2) hole conductor layer and/or (2′) blocking layer for electrons/excitons (the OLED may comprise both layers (2) and (2′), or else either layer (2) or layer (2′)), (3) light-emitting layer, (4) blocking layer for holes/excitons, (5) electron conductor layer and (6) cathode, and if appropriate further layers, the blocking layer for electrons/excitons and/or the hole conductor layer and if appropriate the light-emitting layer (3) comprising at least one compound of the formula (II).

Suitable electron conductor materials for layer (5) of the inventive OLEDs comprise metals chelated with oxinoid compounds, such as 2,2′,2″-(1,3,5-phenylene)tris[1-phenyl-1H-benzimidazole] (TPBI), tris(8-quinolinolato)aluminum (Alq₃), compounds based on phenanthroline, such as 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (DDPA=BCP) or 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (DPA), and azole compounds such as 2-(4-biphenylyl)-5-(4-t-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (PBD) and 3-(4-biphenylyl)-4-phenyl-5-(4-t-butylphenyl)-1,2,4-triazole (TAZ). The layer (5) may serve either to facilitate electron transport or as a buffer layer or as a barrier layer in order to prevent quenching of the exciton at the interfaces of the layers of the OLED. The layer (5) preferably improves the mobility of the electrons and reduces quenching of the exciton. In a preferred embodiment, TPBI is used as the electron conductor material.

Among the materials mentioned above as hole conductor materials and electron conductor materials, some may fulfill several functions. For example, some of the electron-conducting materials are simultaneously hole-blocking materials when they have a low-lying HOMO. These may be used, for example, in the blocking layer for holes/excitons (4). However, it is likewise possible that the function as a hole/exciton blocker is also assumed by layer (5), such that layer (4) can be dispensed with.

The charge transport layers may also be electronically doped in order to improve the transport properties of the materials used, in order firstly to make the layer thicknesses more generous (avoidance of pinholes/short circuits) and in order secondly to minimize the operating voltage of the device. For example, the hole conductor materials may be doped with electron acceptors; for example, it is possible to dope phthalocyanines or arylamines such as TPD or TDTA with tetrafluorotetracyanoquinodimethane (F4-TCNQ). The electron conductor materials may, for example, be doped with alkali metals, for example Alq₃ with lithium. Electronic doping is known to those skilled in the art and is disclosed, for example, in W. Gao, A. Kahn, J. Appl. Phys., Vol. 94, No. 1, Jul. 1, 2003 (p-doped organic layers); A. G. Werner, F. Li, K. Harada, M. Pfeiffer, T. Fritz, K. Leo. Appl. Phys. Lett., Vol. 82, No. 25, Jun. 23, 2003 and Pfeiffer et al., Organic Electronics 2003, 4, 89-103.

The cathode (6) is an electrode which serves to introduce electrons or negative charge carriers. Suitable materials for the cathode are selected from the group consisting of alkali metals of group Ia, for example Li, Cs, alkaline earth metals of group IIa, for example calcium, barium or magnesium, metals of group IIb of the Periodic Table of the Elements (old IUPAC version), comprising the lanthanides and actinides, for example samarium. In addition, it is also possible to use metals such as aluminum or indium, and combinations of all metals mentioned. In addition, lithium-comprising organometallic compounds or LiF may be applied between the organic layer and the cathode in order to reduce the operating voltage.

The OLED according to the present invention may additionally comprise further layers which are known to those skilled in the art. For example, between the layer (2) and the light-emitting layer (3) may be applied a layer which facilitates the transport of the positive charge and/or matches the band gap of the layers to one another. Alternatively, this further layer may serve as a protective layer. In an analogous manner, additional layers may be present between the light-emitting layer (3) and the layer (4) in order to facilitate the transport of the negative charge and/or to match the band gap between the layers to one another. Alternatively, this layer may serve as a protective layer.

In a preferred embodiment, the inventive OLED comprises, in addition to layers (1) to (6), at least one of the further layers specified below:

-   -   a hole injection layer between the anode (1) and the         hole-transporting layer (2);     -   a blocking layer for electrons between the hole-transporting         layer (2) and the light-emitting layer (3);     -   an electron injection layer between the electron-transporting         layer (5) and the cathode (6).

Those skilled in the art are aware of how suitable materials have to be selected (for example on the basis of electrochemical studies). Suitable materials for the individual layers are known to those skilled in the art and are disclosed, for example, in WO 00/70655.

In addition, it is possible that some of the layers used in the inventive OLED are surface-treated in order to increase the efficiency of charge carrier transport. The selection of the materials for each of the layers mentioned is preferably determined so as to obtain an OLED with high efficiency and lifetime.

The inventive OLED can be produced by methods known to those skilled in the art. In general, the inventive OLED is produced by successive vapor deposition of the individual layers onto a suitable substrate. Suitable substrates are, for example, glass, inorganic semiconductors or polymer films. For the vapor deposition, it is possible to use customary techniques such as thermal evaporation, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD) and others. In an alternative process, the organic layers of the OLEDs may be coated from solutions or dispersions in suitable solvents, for which coating techniques known to those skilled in the art are employed.

In general, the different layers have the following thicknesses: anode (1) from 50 to 500 nm, preferably from 100 to 200 nm; hole-conducting layer (2) from 5 to 100 nm, preferably from 20 to 80 nm, light-emitting layer (3) from 1 to 100 nm, preferably from 10 to 80 nm, blocking layer for holes/excitons (4) from 2 to 100 nm, preferably from 5 to 50 nm, electron-conducting layer (5) from 5 to 100 nm, preferably from 20 to 80 nm, cathode (6) from 20 to 1000 nm, preferably from 30 to 500 nm. The relative position of the recombination zone of holes and electrons in the inventive OLED in relation to the cathode and hence the emission spectrum of the OLED can be influenced, inter alia, by the relative thickness of each layer. This means that the thickness of the electron transport layer should preferably be selected such that the position of the recombination zone is matched to the optical resonator property of the diode and hence to the emission wavelength of the emitter. The ratio of the layer thicknesses of the individual layers in the OLED depends on the materials used. The layer thicknesses of any additional layers used are known to those skilled in the art. It is possible that the electron-conducting layer and/or the hole-conducting layer has/have greater thicknesses than the layer thicknesses specified when they are electrically doped.

According to the invention, the light-emitting layer E and/or at least one of the further layers optionally present in the inventive OLED comprises at least one compound of the general formula (II). While the at least one compound of the general formula (II) is present in the light-emitting layer E as a matrix material together with at least one carbene complex of the general formula (I), the at least one compound of the general formula (II) can be used in the at least one further layer of the inventive OLED in each case alone or together with at least one of the further aforementioned materials suitable for the corresponding layers.

Substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl is understood to mean alkyl radicals having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Preference is given to C₁- to C₁₀-alkyl radicals, particular preference to C₁- to C₆-alkyl radicals. The alkyl radicals may be either straight-chain or branched or cyclic, where the alkyl radicals in the case of cyclic alkyl radicals have at least 3 carbon atoms. In addition, the alkyl radicals may be substituted by one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₂₀-alkoxy, halogen, preferably F, and C₆-C₃₀-aryl which may in turn be substituted or unsubstituted. Suitable aryl substituents and suitable alkoxy and halogen substituents are specified below. Examples of suitable alkyl groups are methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl and octyl, and also derivatives of the alkyl groups mentioned substituted by C₆-C₃₀-aryl, C₁-C₂₀-alkoxy and/or halogen, especially F, for example CF₃. Also included are both the n-isomers of the radicals mentioned and branched isomers such as isopropyl, isobutyl, isopentyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, neopentyl, 3,3-dimethylbutyl, 3-ethylhexyl, etc. Preferred alkyl groups are methyl, ethyl, tert-butyl and CF₃.

Examples of suitable cyclic alkyl groups, which may likewise be unsubstituted or substituted by the above radicals specified for the alkyl groups, are cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, cyclononyl and cyclodecyl. If appropriate, the ring systems may also be polycyclic ring systems such as decalinyl, norbornyl, bornanyl or adamantyl.

Suitable C₁-C₂₀-alkoxy and C₁-C₂₀-alkylthio groups derive correspondingly from the aforementioned C₁-C₂₀-alkyl radicals. Examples here include OCH₃, OC₂H₅, OC₃H₇, OC₄H₉ and OC₈H₁₇, and also SCH₃, SC₂H₅, SC₃H₇, SC₄H₉ and SC₈H₁₇. C₃H₇, C₄H₉ and C₈H₁₇ are understood to mean both the n-isomers and branched isomers such as isopropyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl and 2-ethylhexyl. Particularly preferred alkoxy or alkylthio groups are methoxy, ethoxy, n-octyloxy, 2-ethylhexyloxy and SCH₃.

Suitable halogen radicals or halogen substituents in the context of the present application are fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine, preferably fluorine, chlorine and bromine, more preferably fluorine and chlorine, most preferably fluorine.

Suitable pseudohalogen radicals in the context of the present application are CN, SCN, OCN, N₃ and SeCN, preference being given to CN and SCN. Very particular preference is given to CN.

In the present invention, C₆-C₃₀-aryl refers to radicals which are derived from monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic aromatics which do not comprise any ring heteroatoms. When the system is not a monocyclic system, the saturated form (perhydro form) or the partly unsaturated form (for example the dihydro form or tetrahydro form) are also possible for the second ring in case of the designation “aryl”, provided that the particular forms are known and stable. In other words, the term “aryl” in the present invention also comprises, for example, bicyclic or tricyclic radicals in which either both or all three radicals are aromatic, and also bicyclic or tricyclic radicals in which only one ring is aromatic, and also tricyclic radicals in which two rings are aromatic. Examples of aryl are: phenyl, naphthyl, indanyl, 1,2-dihydronaphthenyl, 1,4-dihydronaphthenyl, indenyl, anthracenyl, phenanthrenyl or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyl. Particular preference is given to C₆-C₁₀-aryl radicals, for example phenyl or naphthyl, very particular preference to C₆-aryl radicals, for example phenyl.

The C₆-C₃₀-aryl radicals may be unsubstituted or substituted by one or more further radicals. Suitable further radicals are selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, C₆-C₃₀-aryl or substituents with donor or acceptor action, suitable substituents with donor or acceptor action being specified below. The C₆-C₃₀-aryl radicals are preferably unsubstituted or substituted by one or more C₁-C₂₀-alkoxy groups, CN, CF₃, F or amino groups (NR¹⁴R¹⁵, where suitable R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ radicals are specified above). Further preferred substitutions of the C₆-C₃₀-aryl radicals depend on the end use of the compounds of the general formula (II) and are specified below.

Suitable C₆-C₃₀-aryloxy, C₆-C₃₀-alkylthio radicals derive correspondingly from the aforementioned C₆-C₃₀-aryl radicals. Particular preference is given to phenoxy and phenylthio.

Unsubstituted or substituted heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring atoms is understood to mean monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic heteroaromatics which derive partly from the aforementioned aryl, in which at least one carbon atom in the aryl base skeleton has been replaced by a heteroatom. Preferred heteroatoms are N, O and S. The heteroaryl radicals more preferably have from 5 to 13 ring atoms. Especially preferably, the base skeleton of the heteroaryl radicals is selected from systems such as pyridine and five-membered heteroaromatics such as thiophene, pyrrole, imidazole or furan. These base structures may optionally be fused to one or two six-membered aromatic radicals. Suitable fused heteroaromatics are carbazolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzofuryl, dibenzofuryl or dibenzothiophenyl. The base structure may be substituted at one, more than one or all substitutable positions, suitable substituents being the same as have already been specified under the definition of C₆-C₃₀-aryl. However, the heteroaryl radicals are preferably unsubstituted. Suitable heteroaryl radicals are, for example, pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, pyridin-4-yl, thiophen-2-yl, thiophen-3-yl, pyrrol-2-yl, pyrrol-3-yl, furan-2-yl, furan-3-yl and imidazol-2-yl, and also the corresponding benzofused radicals, especially carbazolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzofuryl, dibenzofuryl or dibenzothiophenyl.

In the context of the present application, groups with donor or acceptor action are understood to mean the following groups:

C₁-C₂₀-alkoxy, C₆-C₃₀-aryloxy, C₁-C₂₀-alkylthio, C₆-C₃₀-arylthio, SiR¹⁴R¹⁵R¹⁶, halogen radicals, halogenated C₁-C₂₀-alkyl radicals, carbonyl (—CO(R¹⁴)), carbonylthio (—C═O (SR¹⁴)), carbonyloxy (—C═O(OR¹⁴)), oxycarbonyl (—OC═O(R¹⁴)), thiocarbonyl (—SC═O(R¹⁴)), amino (—NR¹⁴R¹⁵), OH, pseudohalogen radicals, amido (—C═O (NR¹⁴)), —NR¹⁴C═O (R¹⁵), phosphonate (—P(O) (OR¹⁴)₂, phosphate (—OP(O) (OR¹⁴)₂), phosphine (—PR¹⁴R¹⁵), phosphine oxide (—P(O)R¹⁴ ₂), sulfate (—OS(O)₂OR¹⁴), sulfoxide (S(O)R¹⁴), sulfonate (—S(O)₂OR¹⁴), sulfonyl (—S(O)₂R¹⁴), sulfonamide (—S(O)₂NR¹⁴R¹⁵), NO₂, boronic esters (—OB(OR¹⁴)₂), imino (—C═NR¹⁴R¹⁵)), borane radicals, stannane radicals, hydrazine radicals, hydrazone radicals, oxime radicals, nitroso groups, diazo groups, vinyl groups, sulfoximines, alanes, germanes, boroximes and borazines.

Preferred substituents with donor or acceptor action are selected from the group consisting of:

C₁- to C₂₀-alkoxy, preferably C₁-C₆-alkoxy, more preferably ethoxy or methoxy; C₆-C₃₀-aryloxy, preferably C₆-C₁₀-aryloxy, more preferably phenyloxy; SiR¹⁴R¹⁵R¹⁶ where R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are preferably each independently substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted phenyl; at least one of the R¹⁴, R¹⁵, R¹⁶ radicals is more preferably substituted or unsubstituted phenyl; at least one of the R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ radicals is most preferably substituted phenyl, suitable substituents having been specified above; halogen radicals, preferably F, Cl, Br, more preferably F or Cl, most preferably F, halogenated C₁-C₂₀-alkyl radicals, preferably halogenated C₁-C₆-alkyl radicals, most preferably fluorinated C₁-C₆-alkyl radicals, e.g. CF₃, CH₂F, CHF₂ or C₂F₅; amino, preferably dimethylamino, diethylamino or diphenylamino; OH, pseudohalogen radicals, preferably CN, SCN or OCN, more preferably CN, —C(O)OC₁-C₄-alkyl, preferably —C(O)OMe, P(O)R₂, preferably P(O)Ph₂, or SO₂R₂, preferably SO₂Ph.

Very particularly preferred substituents with donor or acceptor action are selected from the group consisting of methoxy, phenyloxy, halogenated C₁-C₄-alkyl, preferably CF₃, CH₂F, CHF₂, C₂F₅, halogen, preferably F, CN, SiR¹⁴R¹⁵R¹⁶, where suitable R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ radicals have already been mentioned, diphenylamino, —C(O)OC₁-C₄-alkyl, preferably —C(O)OMe, P(O)Ph₂, SO₂Ph.

The aforementioned groups with donor or acceptor action are not intended to rule out the possibility that further aforementioned radicals and groups may also have donor or acceptor action. For example, the aforementioned heteroaryl groups are likewise groups with donor or acceptor action, and the C₁-C₂₀-alkyl radicals are groups with donor action.

The R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ radicals mentioned in the aforementioned groups with donor or acceptor action are each as already defined above, i.e. R¹⁴, R¹⁵, R¹⁶ are each independently:

substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, suitable and preferred alkyl and aryl radicals having been specified above. More preferably, the R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ radicals are C₁-C₆-alkyl, e.g. methyl, ethyl or i-propyl, phenyl. In a preferred embodiment—in the case of SiR¹⁴R¹⁵R¹⁶—R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are preferably each independently substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted phenyl; more preferably, at least one of the R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ radicals is substituted or unsubstituted phenyl; most preferably, at least one of the R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ radicals is substituted phenyl, suitable substituents having been specified above.

The expressions “electron-donating substituents” and “electron-withdrawing substituents” used additionally in the present application are substituents with donor action (electron-donating substituents) or substituents with acceptor action (electron-withdrawing substituents). Suitable electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents are thus the substituents which have already been specified above for the substituents with donor or acceptor action.

Compounds of the Formula (II)

The compounds of the formula (II) are disilyl compounds in which the radicals and indices are each defined as follows:

-   X is NR¹, S, O, PR¹, SO₂ or SO; preferably NR¹, S or O; -   R¹ is substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, substituted or     unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted     heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring atoms; preferably substituted or     unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted     C₆-C₃₀-aryl, more preferably substituted or unsubstituted     C₆-C₁₀-aryl or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, most preferably     substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, suitable substituents having     been specified above; -   R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷     -   are each independently substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl         or substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl or a structure of         the general formula (c);     -   preferably at least one of the R², R³ and R⁴ radicals and/or at         least one of the R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ radicals is substituted or         unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, more preferably substituted or         unsubstituted C₆-C₁₀-aryl, most preferably substituted or         unsubstituted phenyl, suitable substituents having been         specified above, and/or one of the R², R³ and R⁴ radicals and/or         one of the R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ radicals is a radical of the structure         (c); -   R^(a), R^(b) are each independently substituted or unsubstituted     C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, substituted     or unsubstituted heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring atoms, or a     substituent with donor or acceptor action, suitable and preferred     substituents with donor or acceptor action having been specified     above; -   R¹⁴, R¹⁵, R¹⁶     -   are each independently substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl         or substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, preferably         substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₆-alkyl or substituted or         unsubstituted C₆-C₁₀-aryl, where R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are more         preferably each independently substituted or unsubstituted         C₁-C₂₀-alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted phenyl; more         preferably, at least one of the R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ radicals is         substituted or unsubstituted phenyl; most preferably, at least         one of the R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ radicals is substituted phenyl,         suitable substituents having been specified above; -   q, r are each independently 0, 1, 2 or 3, where, when q or r is 0,     all substitutable positions of the aryl radical bear hydrogen atoms,     preferably 0.

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an inventive organic light-emitting diode in which the X group is NR¹, where the R¹ radical has already been defined above, in which at least one of the R¹ to R⁷, R^(a) and R^(b) radicals in the compounds of the formula (II) comprises at least one heteroatom. Preferred heteroatoms are N, Si, halogen, especially F or Cl, O, S or P. The heteroatom may be present in the form of a substituent on at least one of the R¹ to R⁷, R^(a) or R^(b) radicals, or in the form of part of a substituent, or be present in the base structure of at least one of the R¹ to R⁷, R^(a) or R^(b) radicals. Suitable substituents or base structures are known to those skilled in the art and are specified under the definitions of the R¹ to R⁷, R^(a) or R^(b) radicals.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to an organic light-emitting diode according to the present invention, in which at least one of the R², R³ and R⁴ radicals and/or at least one of the R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ radicals in the compounds of the formula (II) is substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl. Preferred aryl radicals and their substituents have already been specified above.

A further embodiment of the present invention relates to an inventive organic light-emitting diode in which the compound of the general formula (II) is a 3,6-disilyl-substituted compound of the general formula (IIa):

in which:

-   X is NR¹, S, O, PR¹, SO₂ or SO; preferably NR¹, S or O; more     preferably NR¹; -   R¹ is substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, substituted or     unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted     heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring atoms; preferably substituted or     unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl or substituted or unsubstituted     C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, more preferably substituted or unsubstituted     C₆-C₁₀-aryl or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, most preferably     substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, suitable substituents having     been specified above; -   R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷     -   are each independently substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl         or substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl or a structure of         the general formula (c);     -   preferably at least one of the R², R³ and R⁴ radicals and/or at         least one of the R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ radicals is substituted or         unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, more preferably substituted or         unsubstituted C₆-C₁₀-aryl, most preferably substituted or         unsubstituted phenyl, suitable substituents having been         specified above, and/or one of the R², R³ and R⁴ radicals and/or         one of the R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ radicals is a radical of the structure         (c); -   R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², R¹³     -   are each independently hydrogen or are as defined for R^(a) and         R^(b), i.e. are each independently substituted or unsubstituted         C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl,         substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring         atoms or a substituent with donor or acceptor action, suitable         substituents with donor or acceptor action having been specified         above; preferably hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted         C₁-C₆-alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₁₀-aryl or         SiR¹⁴R¹⁵R¹⁶; more preferably hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, phenyl,         CF₃ or SiR¹⁴R¹⁵R¹⁶, where R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are preferably each         independently substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl or         substituted or unsubstituted phenyl; more preferably, at least         one of the R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ radicals is substituted or         unsubstituted phenyl; most preferably, at least one of the R¹⁴,         R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ radicals is substituted phenyl, suitable         substituents having been specified above;         and the further radicals and indices R¹⁴, R¹⁵, R¹⁶ are each as         defined above.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the compounds of the formula (II) used in the inventive organic light-emitting diodes have the following definitions for the R¹ to R⁷, R^(a) and R^(b) radicals and the X group:

-   X is NR¹; -   R¹ is substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl or substituted or     unsubstituted heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring atoms, preferably     substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₁₀-aryl, more preferably     substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, suitable substituents having     been specified above; -   R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷     -   are each independently substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl         or substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, or a structure of         the general formula (c), preferably each independently         substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₆-alkyl or substituted or         unsubstituted C₆-C₁₀-aryl, more preferably substituted or         unsubstituted C₁-C₆-alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted         phenyl; where, in one embodiment, at least one of the R², R³ and         R⁴ radicals and/or at least one of the R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ radicals is         substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, preferably substituted         or unsubstituted C₆-C₁₀-aryl, more preferably substituted or         unsubstituted phenyl; preferred substituents having been         specified above; -   R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², R¹³     -   are each independently hydrogen or are each as defined for R^(a)         and R^(b), i.e. are each independently substituted or         unsubstituted substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl,         substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring         atoms or a substituent with donor or acceptor action, suitable         substituents with donor or acceptor action already having been         specified above; preferably hydrogen, substituted or         unsubstituted C₁-C₆-alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted         C₆-C₁₀-aryl or siR¹⁴R¹⁵R¹⁶; more preferably hydrogen, methyl,         ethyl, phenyl, CF₃ or SiR¹⁴R¹⁵R¹⁶; -   R¹⁴, R¹⁵, R¹⁶     -   are each independently substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl         or substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, preferably         substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₆-alkyl or substituted or         unsubstituted C₆-C₁₀-aryl, where R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are more         preferably each independently substituted or unsubstituted         C₁-C₂₀-alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted phenyl; more         preferably, at least one of the R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ radicals is         substituted or unsubstituted phenyl; most preferably, at least         one of the R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ radicals is substituted phenyl,         suitable substituents having been specified above.

Preferred compounds of the formula (II) for use in the inventive OLEDs are detailed below:

-   i) preferred compounds of the formula (II) in which X is NR¹ or PR¹     (the preferred carbazole derivatives (X═NR¹) are detailed     hereinafter). The present invention likewise comprises those     compounds in which the N in the formulae below is replaced by     P(X═PR¹): -   ia) compounds of the formula (II) which are more preferably suitable     as a matrix and/or electron/exciton blocker:

-   ib) compounds of the formula (II) which are more preferably suitable     as a matrix and/or hole/exciton blocker:

-   ic) compounds of the formula (II) which are more preferably suitable     as a matrix:

-   id) further preferred compounds of the formula (II) which are more     preferably used suitably as a matrix and/or hole/exciton blocker     and/or electron/exciton blocker:

-   ii) preferred compounds of the formula (II) in which X is O, S, SO,     SO₂: -   iia) compounds of the formula (II) which are more preferably     suitable as a matrix and/or electron/exciton blocker:

-   iib) compounds of the formula (II) which are more preferably     suitable as a matrix and/or hole/exciton blocker:

X in the formulae specified under iia) and iib) is preferably O, S, SO or SO₂.

In a further preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to an organic light-emitting diode in which a compound of the formula (II) is used, in which the R¹ radical and/or at least one of the radicals from the group of R², R³ and R⁴ and/or at least one of the radicals from the group of R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ is independently substituted or unsubstituted C₆-aryl of the following formula:

in which

-   p is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, preferably 0, 1, 2 or 3, more preferably 0,     1 or 2; -   R¹⁷ is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl,     substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, substituted or     unsubstituted heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring atoms, a     substituent with donor or acceptor action, suitable substituents     with donor or acceptor action having been specified above, or a     radical of the general formula a or b

in which

-   X′ is N or P, and     the radicals and indices X″, R^(2′), R^(3′), R^(4′), R^(5′), R^(5″),     R^(6′), R^(6″), R^(7′), R^(7″), R^(a′), R^(a″), R^(b′), R^(b″), q′,     q″, r′ and r″ are each independently as defined for the radicals and     indices X, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R^(a), R^(b), q and r;     or     one of the R², R³ and R⁴ radicals and/or one of the R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷     radicals is a radical of the general formula c

in which the radicals and indices X′″, R^(5′″), R^(6′″), R^(7′″), R^(a′″), R^(b′″), q′″ and r′″ are each independently as defined for the radicals and indices X, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R^(a), R^(b), q and r.

Preferred R¹⁷ radicals are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₆-alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₁₀-aryl, substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl having from 5 to 13 ring atoms, preferably carbazolyl, a substituent with donor or acceptor action selected from the group consisting of C₁- to C₂₀-alkoxy, preferably C₁-C₆-alkoxy, more preferably ethoxy or methoxy; C₆-C₃₀-aryloxy, preferably C₆-C₁₀-aryloxy, more preferably phenyloxy; SiR¹⁴R¹⁵R¹⁶; halogen radicals, preferably F, Cl, Br, more preferably F or Cl, most preferably F, halogenated C₁-C₂₀-alkyl radicals, preferably halogenated C₁-C₆-alkyl radicals, most preferably fluorinated C₁-C₆-alkyl radicals, e.g. CF₃, CH₂F, CHF₂ or C₂F₅; amino, preferably dimethylamino, diethylamino or diphenylamino, more preferably diphenylamino; OH, pseudohalogen radicals, preferably CN, SCN or OCN, more preferably CN; C(O)OC₁-C₄-alkyl, preferably —C(O)OMe, P(O)Ph₂, SO₂Ph, where R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are each independently substituted or unsubstituted C₁- to C₆-alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted C₆- to C₁₀-aryl and—in the case of SiR¹⁴R¹⁵R¹⁶ are preferably each independently substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted phenyl; more preferably, at least one of the R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ radicals is substituted or unsubstituted phenyl; most preferably, at least one of the R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ radicals is substituted phenyl, suitable substituents having been specified above. More preferably, the R¹⁷ radicals are each independently selected from the group consisting of methoxy, phenyloxy, unsubstituted C₁-C₄-alkyl, preferably methyl, halogenated C₁-C₄-alkyl, preferably CF₃, CHF₂, CH₂F, C₂F₅, CN, halogen, preferably F, —C(O)O—C₁-C₄-alkyl, preferably —C(O)OMe, P(O)Ph₂, and substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl having from 5 to 13 ring atoms, preferably carbazolyl.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the indices r and q in the compounds of the formula (II) are each 0, i.e. all substitutable positions of the aryl groups bear hydrogen atoms. For all other radicals and indices, the aforementioned definitions apply.

The compounds of the formula (II) used in accordance with the invention may be used in different layers of the inventive organic light-emitting diode, suitable and preferred layer sequences in the inventive OLEDs having been specified above.

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to organic light-emitting diodes in which the compounds of the formula (II) are used as a matrix in the light-emitting layer E.

In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to an inventive organic light-emitting diode in which the compounds of the formula (II) are used in the blocking layer for electrons as an electron/exciton blocker and/or in the hole injection layer and/or in the hole conductor layer. It is likewise possible that the compounds of the formula (II) are additionally present in the light-emitting layer E and/or one or more of the layers specified below.

In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to an inventive organic light-emitting diode in which the compounds of the formula (II) are used in the blocking layer for holes as a hole/exciton blocker and/or in the electron injection layer and/or in the electron conductor layer. It is likewise possible that the compounds of the formula (II) are additionally present in the light-emitting layer E and/or one or more of the aforementioned layers.

Depending on the layer in which the compounds of the formula (II) are used, the compounds of the formula (II) have different preferred R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R^(a) and R^(b) radicals and different X groups. In addition to the function of the layer in which the compounds of the formula (II) can be used in the inventive OLED, the R¹ to R⁷, R^(a) and R^(b) radicals and the X group of the compounds of the formula (II) are additionally dependent on the electronic properties (relative positions of the HOMOs and LUMOs) of the particular layers used in the inventive OLED. It is thus possible, by virtue of suitable substitution of the compounds of the formula (II), to adjust the HOMO and LUMO orbital positions to the further layers used in the inventive OLED, and thus to achieve a high stability of the OLED and hence a long operative lifetime and good efficiencies.

The principles regarding the relative positions of HOMO and LUMO in the individual layers of an OLED are known to those skilled in the art. The principles, by way of example with regard to the properties of the blocking layer for electrons and of the blocking layer for holes, in relation to the light-emitting layer are detailed hereinafter:

The LUMO of the blocking layer for electrons is energetically higher than the LUMO of the materials used in the light-emitting layer (both of the emitter material and of any matrix materials used). The greater the energetic difference of the LUMOs of the blocking layer for electrons and of the materials in the light-emitting layer, the better are the electron- and/or exciton-blocking properties of the blocking layer for electrons. Suitable substitution patterns of the compounds of the formula (II) suitable as electron and/or exciton blocker materials thus depend upon factors including the electronic properties (especially the position of the LUMO) of the materials used in the light-emitting layer.

The HOMO of the blocking layer for electrons is energetically higher than the HOMOs of the materials present in the light-emitting layer (both of the emitter materials and of any matrix materials present). The greater the energetic difference of the HOMOs of the blocking layer for holes and of the materials present in the light-emitting layer, the better are the hole- and/or exciton-blocking properties of the blocking layer for holes. Suitable substitution patterns of the compounds of the formula (II) suitable as hole and/or exciton blocker materials thus depend upon factors including the electronic properties (especially the position of the HOMOs) of the materials present in the light-emitting layer.

Comparable considerations relating to the relative position of the HOMOs and LUMOs of the different layers used in the inventive OLED apply to the further layers which may be used in the OLED and are known to those skilled in the art.

Preferably suitable R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R^(a) and R^(b) radicals of the compounds of the formula (II), depending on their use in different layers of the inventive OLED, are specified below. It is pointed out that preferred substitutions of the compounds of the formula (II) other than those specified below may in principle be suitable for use in the different layers—depending on the electronic properties of the further layers of the OLED, especially depending on the electronic properties of the light-emitting layer.

Compounds of the General Formula (II) which are Especially Suitable for Use in the Light-Emitting Layer E as Matrix Materials, and for Use in the Blocking Layer for Electrons, in the Hole Injection Layer and/or in the Hole Conductor Layer

A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to an organic light-emitting diode in which the compounds of the formula (II) are used in a blocking layer for electrons, in a hole injection layer and/or in a hole conductor layer and/or in the light-emitting layer E as matrix materials.

Preferred compounds of the formula (II) which can be used in at least one of the aforementioned layers have at least one R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ or R⁷ radical which is substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring atoms, substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, alkyl-substituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl (where “alkyl-substituted” means C₁-C₂₀-alkyl-substituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl), C₆-C₃₀-aryl substituted by at least one substituent with donor action, or C₆-C₃₀-aryl substituted by heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring atoms, or a substituent with donor action or, in the case of R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ or R⁷, hydrogen.

Suitable substituents with donor action (electron-donating radicals) are preferably selected from the group consisting of substituted and unsubstituted C₁-C₆-alkyl, preferably methyl, substituted and unsubstituted C₆-C₁₀-aryl, substituted and unsubstituted electron-rich heteroaryl having from five to 30 ring atoms, preferably selected from the group consisting of carbazolyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, oxazolyl, thiophenyl, preferably carbazolyl, pyrrolyl and thiophenyl, more preferably carbazolyl, C₁-C₂₀-alkoxy, preferably C₁-C₆-alkoxy, more preferably methoxy and ethoxy, C₆-C₃₀-aryloxy, preferably C₆-C₁₀-aryloxy, more preferably phenyloxy, C₁-C₂₀-alkylthio, preferably C₁-C₆-alkylthio, more preferably —SCH₃, C₆-C₃₀-arylthio, preferably C₆-C₁₀-arylthio, more preferably —SPh, F, SiR¹⁴R¹⁵R¹⁶ where R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are preferably donor-substituted phenyl groups, amino (—NR¹⁴R¹⁵), preferably diphenylamino, phosphine (—PR¹⁴R¹⁵), hydrazine radicals, OH, donor-substituted vinyl groups, where R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are each as defined above and are preferably donor-substituted phenyl groups.

Very particularly preferred substituents with donor action are selected from the group consisting of diphenylamino, carbazolyl, methoxy, phenoxy, very particular preference being given especially to methoxy and carbazolyl.

More preferably, the at least one radical which is used in the aforementioned layers is a C₆-aryl radical of the formula (d) substituted by at least one substituent with donor action and/or at least one heteroaryl radical having from 5 to 30 ring atoms

in which:

-   p′ is 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, preferably 1, 2 or 3, more preferably 1 or 2,     and -   R¹⁸ is in each case independently substituted or unsubstituted     C₁-C₆-alkyl, preferably methyl, substituted or unsubstituted     C₆-C₁₀-aryl, C₁-C₂₀-alkoxy, preferably C₁-C₆-alkoxy, more preferably     methoxy and ethoxy, C₆-C₃₀-aryloxy, preferably C₆-C₁₀-aryloxy, more     preferably phenyloxy, C₁-C₂₀-alkylthio, preferably C₁-C₆-alkylthio,     more preferably —SCH₃, C₆-C₃₀-arylthio, preferably C₆-C₁₀-arylthio,     more preferably —SPh, SiR¹⁴R¹⁵R¹⁶ where R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are each as     defined above and are preferably each donor-substituted phenyl     groups, amino (—NR¹⁴R¹⁵), preferably diphenylamino, amido (—NR¹⁴     (C═O (R¹⁵)), phosphine (—PR¹⁴R¹⁵), hydrazine radicals, OH,     donor-substituted vinyl groups, where R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are each as     defined above and are preferably each donor-substituted phenyl     groups,     -   or R¹⁸ is substituted or unsubstituted electron-rich heteroaryl         having from five to 30 ring atoms, preferably selected from the         group consisting of carbazolyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl,         triazolyl, oxazolyl, thiophenyl, more preferably carbazolyl,         pyrrolyl and thiophenyl.

Preferred R¹⁸ groups are selected from the group consisting of methoxy, ethoxy, phenoxy, very particular preference being given especially to methoxy, and carbazolyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, oxazolyl and thiophenyl, very particular preference being given to methoxy, phenyloxy, carbazolyl and NR¹⁴R¹⁵ where R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ are each phenyl or tolyl.

More preferably, the compounds of the formula (II) used in the aforementioned layers have at least one R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ or R⁷ radical selected from the group consisting of

In a preferred embodiment, at least one R¹ radical is a C₆-aryl radical of the formula (d) substituted by at least one substituent with donor action and/or at least one heteroaryl radical having from 5 to 30 ring atoms;

and the R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ radicals are preferably each phenyl, methyl or methoxy- or phenyloxy substituted phenyl.

Use of the Compounds of the Formula (II) in the Light-Emitting Layer E as Matrix Material and/or in a Blocking Layer for Holes, an Electron Injection Layer and/or an Electron Conductor Layer

The present invention further relates to an inventive organic light-emitting diode in which at least one compound of the formula (II) is present in at least one of the layers selected from light-emitting layer E, blocking layer for holes, electron injection layer and electron conductor layer.

Preferred compounds of the formula (II) used in the aforementioned layers have at least one R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ or R⁷ radical which is C₁- to C₂₀-alkyl substituted by at least one substituent with acceptor action (electron-withdrawing radical), C₆-C₃₀-aryl substituted by at least one substituent with acceptor action, C₆-C₃₀-aryl substituted by at least one heteroaryl radical having from 5 to 30 ring atoms, or a substituent with acceptor action.

Suitable substituents with acceptor action (electron-withdrawing radicals) are selected from the group consisting of electron-deficient heteroaryls having from 5 to 30 ring atoms, carbonyl (—CO(R¹⁴)), carbonylthio (—C═O (SR¹⁴)), carbonyloxy (—C═O (OR¹⁴)), oxycarbonyl (—OC═O (R¹⁴)), thiocarbonyl (—SC═O(R¹⁴)), OH, halogen, halogen-substituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, pseudohalogen radicals, amido (—C═O (NR¹⁴), phosphonate (—P(O) (OR¹⁴)₂), phosphate (—OP(O) (OR¹⁴)₂), phosphine oxide (—P(O)R¹⁴R¹⁵), sulfonyl (—S(O)₂R¹⁴), sulfonate (—S(O)₂OR¹⁴), sulfate (—OS(O)₂OR¹⁴), sulfoxide (—S(O)R¹⁴), sulfonamide (—S(O)₂NR¹⁴R¹⁵), NO₂), boronic esters (—OB(OR¹⁴)₂), imino (—C═NR¹⁴R¹⁵)), hydrazone radicals, oxime radicals, nitroso groups, diazo groups, sulfoximines, SiR¹⁴R¹⁵R¹⁶, borane radicals, stannane radicals, acceptor-substituted vinyl groups, boroxines and borazines, where R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are each substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, preferably substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₆-alkyl, or substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, preferably substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₁₀-aryl.

Preferred substituents with acceptor action are selected from the group consisting of halogen, preferably F, halogen-substituted alkyl, preferably CF₃, CH₂F, CHF₂, C₂F₅, C₃F₃H₄, pseudohalogen, preferably CN, carbonyloxy (—C═O (OR¹⁴)), preferably —C═O(OCH₃), phosphine oxide, preferably P(O)Ph₂, and sulfonyl, preferably S(O)₂Ph₂. The at least one radical which is used in the aforementioned layers is more preferably a substituted C₆-aryl radical of the formula (e)

in which:

-   p″ is 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, preferably 1, 2 or 3, more preferably 1 or 2;     and -   R¹⁹ is carbonyl (—CO(R¹⁴)), carbonylthio (—C═O (SR¹⁴)), carbonyloxy     (—C═O (OR¹⁴)), oxycarbonyl (—OC═O (R¹⁴)), thiocarbonyl (—SC═O(R¹⁴)),     OH, halogen, halogen-substituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, pseudohalogen     radicals, amido (—C═O (NR¹⁴), phosphonate (—P(O) (OR¹⁴)₂), phosphate     (—OP(O) (OR¹⁴)₂), phosphine oxide (—P(O)R¹⁴R¹⁵), sulfonyl     (—S(O)₂R¹⁴), sulfonate (—S(O)₂OR¹⁴), sulfate (—OS(O)₂OR¹⁴),     sulfoxide (—S(O)R¹⁴), sulfonamide (—S(O)₂NR¹⁴R¹⁵), NO₂, boronic     esters (—OB(OR¹⁴)₂, imino (—C═NR¹⁴R¹⁵)) hydrazone radicals, oxime     radicals, nitroso groups, diazo groups, sulfoximines, SiR¹⁴R¹⁵R¹⁶,     and borane radicals, stannane radicals, acceptor-substituted vinyl     groups, boroxines and borazines, where R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are each     substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, preferably substituted or     unsubstituted C₁-C₆-alkyl, or substituted or unsubstituted     C₆-C₃₀-aryl, preferably substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₁₀-aryl;     preferably halogen, preferably F, halogen-substituted alkyl,     preferably CF₃, CH₂F, CHF₂, C₂F₅, C₃F₃H₄, pseudohalogen, preferably     CN, carbonyloxy (—C═O (OR¹⁴)), preferably —C═O (OCH₃), phosphine     oxide, preferably P(O)Ph₂, and sulfonyl, preferably S(O)₂Ph₂;     -   or R¹⁹ is substituted or unsubstituted electron-deficient         heteroaryl having from five to 30 ring atoms, preferably         selected from the group consisting of pyridine, pyrimidine and         triazine.

More preferably, the compounds of the formula (II) used in the aforementioned layers have at least one R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ or R⁷ radical, selected from the group consisting of:

Inventive Compounds of the Formula (II)

In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to compounds of the general formula (II) as defined above, where, in the case that X is NR¹, at least one of the R¹ to R⁷, R^(a) or R^(b) radicals in the compounds of the formula (II) comprises at least one heteroatom.

The compounds are preferably those of the general formula II

in which:

-   X is NR¹, S, O, PR¹, SO₂ or SO; -   R¹ is substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, substituted or     unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted     heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring atoms; -   R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷     -   are each independently substituted or unsubstituted         C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, or substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, or a         structure of the general formula (c)

-   R^(a), R^(b)     -   are each independently substituted or unsubstituted         C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, or         substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring         atoms or a substituent with donor or acceptor action selected         from the group consisting of: C₁-C₂₀-alkoxy, C₆-C₃₀-aryloxy,         C₁-C₂₀-alkylthio, C₆-C₃₀-arylthio, SiR¹⁴R¹⁵R¹⁶, halogen         radicals, halogenated C₁-C₂₀-alkyl radicals, carbonyl         (—CO(R¹⁴)), carbonylthio (—C═O (SR¹⁴)), carbonyloxy         (—C═O(OR¹⁴)), oxycarbonyl (—OC═O(R¹⁴)), thiocarbonyl         (—SC═O(R¹⁴)), amino (—NR¹⁴R¹⁵), OH, pseudohalogen radicals,         amido (—C═O (NR¹⁴)), —NR¹⁴C═O (R¹⁵), phosphonate (—P(O)         (OR¹⁴)₂), phosphate (—OP(O) (OR¹⁴)₂), phosphine (—PR¹⁴R¹⁵),         phosphine oxide (—P(O)R¹⁴ ₂), sulfate (—OS(O)₂OR¹⁴), sulfoxide         (—S(O)R¹⁴), sulfonate (—S(O)₂OR¹⁴), sulfonyl (—S(O)₂R¹⁴),         sulfonamide (—S(O)₂NR¹⁴R¹⁵), NO₂, boronic esters (—OB(OR¹⁴)₂),         imino (—C═NR¹⁴R¹⁵)), borane radicals, stannane radicals,         hydrazine radicals, hydrazone radicals, oxime radicals, nitroso         groups, diazo groups, vinyl groups, sulfoximines, alanes,         germanes, boroximes and borazines; -   R¹⁴, R¹⁵, R¹⁶     -   are each independently substituted or unsubstituted         C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, or substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl; -   q, r are each independently 0, 1, 2 or 3; where, in the case when q     or r is 0, all substitutable positions of the aryl radical are     substituted by hydrogen,     where the radicals and indices in the group of the formula (c) X′″,     R^(5′″), R^(6′″), R^(7′″), R^(a′″), R^(b′″), q′″ and r′″ are each     independently as defined for the radicals and indices of the     compounds of the general formula (II) X, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R^(a), R^(b), q     and r;     where,     in the case that X is NR¹, at least one of the R¹ to R⁷, R^(a) or     R^(b) radicals in the compounds of the formula (II) comprises at     least one heteroatom.

In the compounds of the formula (II), preferably at least one of the R², R³ and R⁴ radicals and/or at least one of the R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ radicals is substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl.

The compound of the general formula (II) is more preferably a 3,6-disilyl-substituted compound of the general formula (IIa):

in which:

-   X is NR¹, S, O, PR¹, SO₂ or SO; preferably NR¹, S or O; more     preferably NR¹; -   R¹ is substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, substituted or     unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, or substituted or unsubstituted     heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring atoms; preferably substituted or     unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl or substituted or unsubstituted     C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, more preferably substituted or unsubstituted     C₆-C₁₀-aryl or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, most preferably     substituted or unsubstituted phenyl; -   R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷     -   are each independently substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl         or substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl or a structure of         the general formula (c);     -   preferably at least one of the R², R³ and R⁴ radicals and/or at         least one of the R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ radicals is substituted or         unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, more preferably substituted or         unsubstituted C₆-C₁₀-aryl, most preferably substituted or         unsubstituted phenyl, and/or one of the R², R³ and R⁴ radicals         and/or one of the R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ radicals is a radical of the         structure (c); -   R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², R¹³     -   are each independently hydrogen or are as defined for R^(a) and         R^(b), i.e. are each independently substituted or unsubstituted         C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₂₀-aryl,         substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring         atoms or a substituent with donor or acceptor action, suitable         substituents with donor or acceptor action having been specified         above; preferably hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted         C₁-C₆-alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₁₀-aryl or         siR¹⁴R¹⁵R¹⁶; more preferably hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, phenyl,         CF₃ or siR¹⁴R¹⁵R¹⁶, where R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are preferably each         independently substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl or         substituted or unsubstituted phenyl; more preferably, at least         one of the R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ radicals is substituted or         unsubstituted phenyl; most preferably, at least one of the R¹⁴,         R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ radicals is substituted phenyl.

In the compounds of the formula (II), the R¹ radical and/or at least one of the radicals from the group of R², R³ and R⁴ and/or at least one of the radicals from the group of R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ are preferably each independently substituted or unsubstituted C₆-aryl of the following formula:

in which

-   p is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, preferably 0, 1, 2 or 3, more preferably 0,     1 or 2; -   R¹⁷ is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl,     substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, substituted or     unsubstituted heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring atoms, a     substituent with donor or acceptor action,     -   or     -   a radical of the general formula a or b

in which X′ is N or P, and the radicals and indices X″, R^(2′), R^(3′), R^(4′), R^(5′), R^(5″), R^(6′), R^(6″), R^(7′), R^(7″), R^(a′), R^(a″), R^(b′), R^(b″), q′, q″, r′ and r″ are each independently as defined for the radicals and indices X, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R^(a), R^(b), q and r; or one of the R², R³ and R⁴ radicals and/or one of the R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ radicals is a radical of the general formula c

in which the radicals and indices X′″, R^(5′″), R^(6′″), R^(7′″), R^(a′″), R^(b′″), q′″ and r′″ are each independently as defined for the radicals and indices X, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R^(a), R^(b), q and r.

Particularly preferred compounds of the formula (II) correspond to the aforementioned compounds of the formula (II) used with preference in the inventive OLEDs, where, in the case that X is NR¹, at least one of the R¹ to R⁷, R^(a) or R^(b) radicals in the compounds of the formula (II) comprises at least one heteroatom.

Preparation of the Inventive Compounds of the Formula (II) and Those Used in Accordance with the Invention

The compounds of the formula (II) can in principle be prepared by processes known to those skilled in the art; for example, carbazoles of the formula (II) (X═NR¹) can be prepared thermally or photochemically by oxidative ring closure from diphenylamine (or suitably substituted derivatives thereof) and, if appropriate, subsequent substitution, for example on the nitrogen. In addition, the carbazoles of the formula (II) can be obtained proceeding from the suitably substituted tetrahydrocarbazoles by oxidation. A typical carbazole synthesis is the Borsche-Drechsel cyclization (Borsche, Ann., 359, 49 (1908); Drechsel, J. prakt. Chem., [2], 38, 69, 1888). The aforementioned tetrahydrocarbozoles can be prepared by processes known to those skilled in the art, for example by condensation of, if appropriate, suitably substituted phenylhydrazine with, if appropriate, suitably substituted cyclohexanone to obtain the corresponding imine. In a subsequent step, an acid-catalyzed rearrangement and ring closure reaction is effected to obtain the corresponding tetrahydrocarbazole. It is likewise possible to carry out the preparation of the imine and the rearrangement and ring closure reaction in one step. The imine is—as mentioned above—oxidized to the desired carbazole.

The compounds of the formula (II) are prepared preferably proceeding from the corresponding base structure of the formula (III):

where X is NR¹, SO, SO₂, S, O or PR¹ or NH or PH or PPh. Suitable base structures of the formula (III) are either commercially available (especially in the cases when X is SO₂, S, O, NH or PPh) or can be prepared by processes known to those skilled in the art (X═PH or SO).

In the case that X is NH or PH, the R¹ radicals may be introduced before or after the introduction of the R^(a), R^(b), SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals, provided that the R^(a) and R^(b) radicals are present in the compounds of the formula (II) or precursor compounds suitable for introducing the R^(a), R^(b), SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals. Thus, three variants—in the case that X═NR¹ and PR¹—are possible:

Variant a)

-   ia) preparing a precursor compound suitable for introducing the     R^(a), R^(b), SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals, -   iia) introducing the R¹ radical, -   iiia) introducing the R^(a), R^(b) radicals, where present, and the     SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals.

Variant b)

Variant b) is preferred especially when R¹ is substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl or C₆-C₃₀-aryl or C₁-C₂₀-alkyl-substituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl.

-   ib) introducing the R¹ radical, -   iib) preparing a precursor compound suitable for introducing the     R^(a), R^(b), SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals, -   iiib) introducing the R^(a), R^(b) radicals, where present, and the     SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals.

Variant c)

-   ic) preparing a precursor compound suitable for introducing the     R^(a), R^(b), SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals, -   iic) introducing the R^(a), R^(b) radicals, where present, and the     SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals, -   iiic) introducing the R¹ radical.

In the case that X in formula (III) is NR¹, SO, SO₂, S, O or PR¹, the step of “introducing the R¹ radical” is dispensed with, such that the process comprises the following steps (Variant d):

-   id) preparing a precursor compound suitable for introducing the     R^(a), R^(b), SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals, -   iid) introducing the R^(a), R^(b) radicals, where present, and the     SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals.

In a further embodiment, the present invention therefore relates to a process for preparing the inventive compounds of the formula (II) and those used in accordance with the invention, comprising the steps of

proceeding from a base structure of the formula (III):

where X is NR¹, SO, SO₂, S, O or PR¹ or NH or PH or PPh, the R¹, R^(a), R^(b), SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals, when the R^(a) and R^(b) radicals are present in the compounds of the formula (II), are introduced by one of the following variants a), b), c) or d),

Variant a)

-   ia) preparing a precursor compound suitable for introducing the     R^(a), R^(b), SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals, -   iia) introducing the R¹ radical, -   iiia) introducing the R^(a), R^(b) radicals, where present, and the     SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals;     or

Variant b)

-   ib) introducing the R¹ radical, -   iib) preparing a precursor compound suitable for introducing the     R^(a), R^(b), SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals, -   iiib) introducing the R^(a), R^(b) radicals, where present, and the     SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals;     or

Variant c)

-   ic) preparing a precursor compound suitable for introducing the     R^(a), R^(b), SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals, -   iic) introducing the R^(a), R^(b) radicals, where present, and the     SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals, -   iiic) introducing the R¹ radical;     or

Variant d)

-   id) preparing a precursor compound suitable for introducing the     R^(a), R^(b), SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals, -   iid) introducing the R^(a), R^(b) radicals, where present, and the     SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals.

Radicals and groups q, r, R¹, R^(a), R^(b), SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ specified in the compounds of the formula (II) have each been defined above.

Steps ia), ic) and id)

Suitable precursor compounds for introducing the R^(a), R^(b), SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals are especially the corresponding halogenated, preferably brominated, compounds of the general formula (IV):

where Hal is halogen, preferably bromine or iodine, more preferably bromine, n is in each case 0, 1 or 2 (where the sum of the two n in formula (IV) is at least 1), preferably in each case 1, and X in steps ia) and ic) is NH or PH, X in step ib) is NR¹ or PR¹, and X in step id) is NR¹, SO, SO₂, S, O or PR¹.

The halogenation can be carried out by processes known to those skilled in the art. Preference is given to brominating or iodinating in the 3 and 6 position of the base structure of the formula (III).

Particular preference is given to brominating with Br₂ in glacial acetic acid or chloroform at low temperatures, for example 0° C. Suitable processes are, for example, described in M. Park, J. R. Buck, C. J. Rizzo, Tetrahedron, 1998, 54, 12707-12714 for X═NPh, and in W. Yang et al., J. Mater. Chem. 2003, 13, 1351 for X═S. In addition, some brominated products of the formula (IV) are commercially available (for X═NH and S).

Steps iia), ib) and iiic)

The R¹ radical is introduced by processes known to those skilled in the art.

The radical is introduced preferably by reacting the base structure of the formula (III) or the compound of the formula (IV) with an alkyl halide or aryl halide or heteroaryl halide of the formula R¹-Hal where R¹ has already been defined above and Hal is F, Cl, Br or I, preferably Br, I or F.

The introduction of the R¹ radical is generally carried out in the presence of a base. Suitable bases are known to those skilled in the art and are preferably selected from the group consisting of alkali metal and alkaline earth metal hydroxides such as NaOH, KOH, Ca(OH)₂, alkali metal hydrides such as NaH, KH, alkali metal amides such as NaNH₂, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal carbonates such as K₂CO₃ or Cs₂CO₃, and alkali metal alkoxides such as NaOMe, NaOEt. Additionally suitable are mixtures of the aforementioned bases. Particular preference is given to NaOH, KOH, NaH or K₂CO₃.

The N-alkylation (for example disclosed in M. Tosa et al., Heterocycl. Communications, Vol. 7, No. 3, 2001, p. 277-282) or N-arylation or N-heteroarylation (for example (N-arylation) disclosed in H. Gilman and D. A. Shirley, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 66 (1944) 888; D. Li et al., Dyes and Pigments 49 (2001) 181-186) is preferably carried out in a solvent. Suitable solvents are, for example, polar aprotic solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide or alcohols. It is likewise possible to use an excess of the alkyl halide or (hetero)aryl halide used as the solvent. The reaction can additionally be performed in a nonpolar aprotic solvent, for example toluene, when a phase transfer catalyst, for example tetra-n-butylammonium hydrogensulfate, is present (as disclosed, for example, in I. Gozlan et al., J. Heterocycl. Chem. 21 (1984) 613-614).

The N-(hetero)arylation can, for example, be effected by copper-catalyzed coupling of the compound of the formula (III) or (IV) to a (hetero)aryl halide, for example an aryl iodide (Ullmann reaction).

Preference is given to introducing the R¹ radical by reacting the compound of the formula (III) or (IV) with an alkyl fluoride, aryl fluoride or heteroaryl fluoride in the presence of NaH in DMF (nucleophilic substitution), or by reaction with an alkyl bromide or iodide, aryl bromide or iodide or heteroaryl bromide or iodide under Cu/base (Ullmann, see above) or Pd catalysis.

The molar ratio of the compound of the formula (III) or (IV) to the alkyl halide or (hetero)aryl halide of the formula R¹-Hal is generally from 1:1 to 1:15, preferably from 1:1 to 1:6, more preferably 1:4.

The N-alkylation or N-(hetero)arylation is performed generally at a temperature of from 0 to 220° C., preferably from 20 to 200° C. The reaction time is generally from 0.5 to 48 h, preferably from 1 to 24 h. In general, the N-alkylation or N-arylation is performed at standard pressure.

The resulting crude product is worked up by processes known to those skilled in the art.

Preferred embodiments of steps iia), ib) and iiic) are detailed hereinafter in general form using the example of R¹=substituted phenyl (R=aforementioned substituent on the aryl radical; q=0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5):

Steps iiia), iiib), iic) and iid)

The desired silylated compounds of the formula (II) are prepared proceeding from the halogenated precursor compounds of the formula (IV) generally by halogen/metal exchange and subsequent silylation by processes known to those skilled in the art.

Preference is given to effecting the preparation, in a first step, by halogen/metal exchange by reaction of the halogenated compounds of the formula (IV) with alkyllithium compounds or Mg at temperatures of generally from −80° C. to +80° C., preferably at from −78° C. to 0° C. (for alkyllithium compounds) or from 0° C. to 80° C. (for Mg), more preferably from 0° C. to 40° C. (for Mg). Particular preference is given to using alkyllithium compounds, especially n-BuLi or tert-BuLi. The reaction is effected generally in a solvent, preferably in THF (or ether, preferably diethyl ether). In a directly subsequent second step, a silylation is effected to give the desired compounds of the formula (II), preferably by reaction with SiR_(m)Cl_((4-m)) or SiR_(m)(OR′)_((4-m)), where m is 1, 2 or 3 and R′ is C₁- to C₆-alkyl. The silylation is generally carried out in a solvent. Preferred solvents are THF or ethers, preferably diethyl ether. In general, the silylation is effected directly after the reaction in the first step, without workup or isolation of the product obtained after the first step. The halogen/metal exchange and the subsequent silylation are generally repeated sufficient times for all n halogen radicals in the compound of the formula (IV) to be replaced by silyl groups. Tsai et al., Adv. Mater., 2006, Vol. 18, No. 9, pages 1216 to 1220.

In the case when the halogen/metal exchange and the subsequent silylation are performed on a compound of the formula (IV) in which X═NH or PH (variant c), step iic)), it is necessary to protect the NH or PH group by means of a protecting group and to deprotect again after the silylation.

The protecting group is introduced by processes known to those skilled in the art. In general, initial deprotonation is followed by introduction of a protecting group. Suitable N—H and P—H protecting groups are known to those skilled in the art, and silyl protecting groups, especially SiR₃ where R=alkyl or aryl, preferably methyl, ethyl, phenyl, are particularly suitable for this process. The deprotonation is effected typically with bases, for example with NaH, nBuLi or tert-BuLi.

The deprotection is likewise effected by processes known to those skilled in the art. Suitable reagents for deprotection are guided by the protecting groups used. When SiR₃ is used as the protecting group, the deprotection is effected generally with an acid or TBAF (tetrabutylammonium fluoride).

Preferred embodiments of steps iiia), iiib) and iid) are shown below in general form (X═NR¹, SO, SO₂, S, O or PR¹):

When p=1 or 2, step 1 and 2 can be repeated once again until p=0.

In step iic) (X═NH or PH), the halogen/metal exchange with subsequent silylation is generally preceded by the introduction of a protecting group. A preferred embodiment of step iic) is shown below using the example of X═NH:

Carbene Complex of the Formula (I) Used in the Inventive Organic Light-Emitting Diode

According to the invention, the organic light-emitting diode, as well as at least one compound of the formula (II), comprises at least one carbene complex of the general formula (I)

in which the symbols are each defined as follows:

-   M¹ is a metal atom selected from the group consisting of transition     metals of group IB, IIB, IIIB, IVB, VB, VIIB, VIIB, VIII, the     lanthanides and IIIA of the Periodic Table of the Elements (CAS     version) in any oxidation state possible for the particular metal     atom, preferred metal atoms already having been specified above; -   carbene is a carbene ligand which may be uncharged or monoanionic     and mono-, bi- or tridentate; the carbene ligand may also be a bis-     or triscarbene ligand; -   L is a mono- or dianionic ligand, preferably monoanionic ligand,     which may be mono- or bidentate; -   K is an uncharged mono- or bidentate ligand; -   n is the number of carbene ligands, where n is at least 1,     preferably from 1 to 6, and the carbene ligands in the complex of     the formula I, when n>1, may be the same or different; -   m is the number of ligands L, where m may be 0 or 1, preferably from     0 to 5, and the ligands L, when m>1, may be the same or different; -   o is the number of ligands K, where o may be 0 or 1, preferably from     0 to 5, and the ligands K, when o>1, may be the same or different; -   p is the charge of the complex: 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; -   W is a monoanionic counterion.

Suitable carbene complexes of the formula (I) used with preference are specified in WO 2005/019373, WO 2005/113704, WO 06/018292, WO 06/056418 and also European applications 06112198.4, 06112228.9, 06116100.6 and 06116093.3, which were yet to be published at the priority date of the present application. Particularly preferred carbene complexes are specified in WO 05/019373 and WO 06/056148.

The disclosure content of the WO and EP applications cited is referred to explicitly here, and these disclosures shall be considered to be incorporated into the content of the present application. In particular, suitable carbene complexes of the formula (I) for use in the inventive OLEDs comprise carbene ligands of the following structures disclosed, inter alia, in WO 2005/019373 A2 (the designation of the variables used hereinafter was adopted from the application WO 2005/019373 A2; with regard to the more specific definition of the variables, reference is made explicitly to this application):

in which:

-   * denotes the attachment sites of the ligand to the metal center; -   z, z′ are the same or different and are each CH or N; -   R¹², R^(12′) are the same or different and are each an alkyl, aryl,     heteroaryl or alkenyl radical, preferably an alkyl or aryl radical,     or in each case 2 R¹² or R^(12′) radicals together form a fused ring     which may optionally comprise at least one heteroatom, preferably N;     preferably in each case 2 R¹² or R^(12′) radicals together form a     fused aromatic C₆ ring, where one or more further aromatic rings may     optionally be fused to this preferably six-membered aromatic ring,     any conceivable fusion being possible, and the fused radicals may in     turn be substituted; or R¹² or R^(12′) is a radical with donor or     acceptor action, preferably selected from the group consisting of     halogen radicals, preferably F, Cl, Br, more preferably F; alkoxy,     aryloxy, carbonyl, ester, amino groups, amide radicals, CHF₂, CH₂F,     CF₃, CN, thio groups and SCN; -   t and t′ are the same or different, preferably the same, and are     each from 0 to 3, where, when t or t′ is >1, the R¹² or R^(12′)     radicals may be the same or different; t or t′ is preferably 0 or 1;     the R¹² or R^(12′) radical is, when t or t′ is 1, in the ortho-,     meta- or para-position to the bonding site to the nitrogen atom     adjacent to the carbene carbon atom; -   R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹ and R¹¹ are each hydrogen, alkyl, aryl,     heteroaryl, alkenyl or a substituent with donor or acceptor action,     preferably selected from halogen radicals, preferably F, Cl, Br,     more preferably F, alkoxy radicals, aryloxy radicals, carbonyl     radicals, ester radicals, amine radicals, amide radicals, CH₂F     groups, CHF₂ groups, CF₃ groups, CN groups, thio groups and SCN     groups, preferably hydrogen, alkyl, heteroaryl or aryl, -   R¹⁰ is alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or alkenyl, preferably alkyl,     heteroaryl or aryl, or in each case 2 R¹⁰ radicals together form a     fused ring which may optionally comprise at least one heteroatom,     preferably nitrogen; preferably in each case 2 R¹⁰ radicals together     form a fused aromatic C₆ ring, where one or more further aromatic     rings may optionally be fused to this preferably six-membered     aromatic ring, any conceivable fusion being possible, and the fused     radicals may in turn be substituted; or R¹⁰ is a radical with donor     or acceptor action, preferably selected from the group consisting of     halogen radicals, preferably F, Cl, Br, more preferably F; alkoxy,     aryloxy, carbonyl, ester, amino groups, amide radicals, CHF₂, CH₂F,     CF₃, CN, thio groups and SCN -   v is from 0 to 4, preferably 0, 1 or 2, most preferably 0, where,     when v is 0, the four carbon atoms of the aryl radical in formula c,     which are optionally substituted by R¹⁰, bear hydrogen atoms.

Especially suitable carbene complexes of the formula (I) for use in the inventive OLEDs are Ir-carbene complexes of the following structures disclosed in WO 2005/019373 A2:

where the variables are each as already defined above.

Further suitable carbene complexes of the formula (I) are especially also structures disclosed in WO 2006/056418 A2 (the designation of the variables used hereinafter was adopted from the application WO 2006/056418 A2; with regard to the more exact definition of the variables, reference is made explicitly to this application):

in which M is Ru(III), Rh(III), Ir(III), Pd(II) or Pt(II), n assumes the value of 3 for Ru(III), Rh(III) and Ir(III), and the value of 2 for Pd(II) and Pt(II), and Y² and Y³ are each hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl or tert-butyl. M is preferably Ir(III) with n equal to 3. Y³ is preferably methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl or tert-butyl.

Further suitable carbene complexes of the formula (I) are especially also

in which M is Ru(III), Rh(III), Ir(III), Pd(II) or Pt(II), n assumes the value of 3 for Ru(III), Rh(III) and Ir(III), and the value of 2 for Pd(II) and Pt(II), and Y³ is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl or tert-butyl. M is preferably Ir(III) with n equal to 3. Y³ is preferably methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl or tert-butyl.

Further suitable carbene complexes of the formula (I) are especially also:

in which M is Ru(III), Rh(III) and especially Ir(III), Pd(II) or Pt(II), n assumes the value of 3 for Ru(III), Rh(III) and Ir(III), and the value of 2 for Pd(II) and Pt(II).

Further suitable carbene complexes of the formula (I) are especially also:

in which M is Ru(III), Rh(III) and especially Ir(III), Pd(II) or Pt(II), n assumes the value of 3 for Ru(III), Rh(III) and Ir(III), and the value of 2 for Pd(II) and Pt(II).

In addition, complexes with different carbene ligands and/or with mono- or dianionic ligands, which may be either mono- or bidentate, are also useful.

With reference to the table which follows, complexes ML′(L″)₂ with trivalent metal centers and two different carbene ligands L′ and L″ are specified schematically.

L′ L″ L′ L″ L′ L″ L′ L″ L¹ L² L³ L⁴ L⁷ L⁵ L⁵ L³ L¹ L³ L³ L⁵ L⁷ L⁴ L⁵ L² L¹ L⁴ L³ L⁶ L⁷ L³ L⁵ L¹ L¹ L⁵ L³ L⁷ L⁷ L² L⁴ L³ L¹ L⁶ L⁴ L⁵ L⁷ L¹ L⁴ L² L¹ L⁷ L⁴ L⁶ L⁶ L⁵ L⁴ L¹ L² L³ L⁴ L⁷ L⁶ L⁴ L³ L² L² L⁴ L⁵ L⁶ L⁶ L³ L³ L¹ L² L⁵ L⁵ L⁷ L⁶ L² L² L¹ L² L⁶ L⁶ L⁷ L⁶ L¹ L² L⁷ L⁷ L⁶ L⁵ L⁴ where M is, for example, Ru(III), Rh(III) or Ir(III), especially Ir(III), and L′ and L″ are, for example, ligands selected from the group of ligands L¹ to L⁷

Y² is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl or tert-butyl, and Y³ is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl or tert-butyl.

One representative of these complexes with different carbene ligands (L′=L⁴ when Y²=hydrogen and Y³=methyl; L″=L² when Y²=hydrogen and Y³=methyl) is, for example:

It will be appreciated that, in the carbene complexes of trivalent metal centers (for instance in the case of Ru(III), Rh(III) or Ir(III)), all three carbene ligands in the carbene complexes of the formula (I) may also be different from one another.

Examples of complexes of trivalent metal centers M with ligands L (here monoanionic bidentate ligand) as “spectator ligands” are LM′L″, LM(L′)₂ and L₂ML′, in which M is, for instance, Ru(III), Rh(III) or Ir(III), especially Ir(III), and L′ and L″ are each as defined above. For the combination of L′ and L″ in the complexes LML′L″, this gives rise to:

L′ L″ L¹ L² L¹ L³ L¹ L⁴ L¹ L⁵ L¹ L⁶ L¹ L⁷ L² L³ L² L⁴ L² L⁵ L² L⁶ L² L⁷ L³ L⁴ L³ L⁵ L³ L⁶ L³ L⁷ L⁴ L⁵ L⁴ L⁶ L⁴ L⁷ L⁵ L⁶ L⁵ L⁷ L⁶ L⁷

Useful ligands L are in particular acetylacetonate and derivatives thereof, picolinate, Schiff bases, amino acids and the bidentate monoanionic ligands specified in WO 02/15645 A1; in particular, acetylacetonate and picolinate are of interest. In the case of the complexes L₂ML′, the ligands L may be the same or different.

One representative of these complexes with different carbene ligands (L′=L⁴ when Y²=hydrogen and Y³=methyl; L″=L² when Y²=hydrogen and Y³=methyl) is, for example:

in which z¹ and z² in the symbol

represent the two “teeth” of the ligand L. Y³ is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl or tert-butyl, especially methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl.

Further suitable carbene complexes of the formula (I) are:

in which R is hydrogen, alkyl or aryl, preferably methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl or phenyl, and also

in which M is Ru(III), Rh(III), Ir(III), Pd(II) or Pt(II), n assumes the value of 3 in the case that M is Ru(III), Rh(III) and Ir(III), and assumes the value of 2 in the case that M is Pd(II) and Pt(II), and Y² and Y³ are each hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl or tert-butyl. M is preferably Ir(III) with n equal to 3. Y³ is preferably methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl or tert-butyl.

In addition, the following specific carbene complexes of the formula (I) are suitable for use in the inventive OLEDs:

The aforementioned carbene complexes are prepared by processes known to those skilled in the art. The stoichiometries and reaction conditions can be determined without any problem by the person skilled in the art on the basis of the aforementioned patent applications relating to carbene complexes and their preparation processes. In addition, the example part of the present application comprises references to documents in which processes for preparing some of the aforementioned carbene complexes are disclosed. The carbene complexes which are not described explicitly in the examples may be prepared in analogy to the processes described in the example part.

Use of the inventive compounds of the formula (II) as matrix materials in the light-emitting layer and/or in at least one further layer of the inventive OLEDs allows OLEDs with high efficiency and lifetime to be obtained. The efficiency of the inventive OLEDs can additionally be improved by optimizing the other layers. For example, highly efficient cathodes such as Ca or Ba, if appropriate in combination with an intermediate layer of LiF, can be used. Shaped substrates and novel hole-transporting materials which bring about a reduction in the operating voltage or an increase in the quantum efficiency can likewise be used in the inventive OLEDs. In addition, additional layers may be present in the OLEDs in order to adjust the energy level of the different layers and in order to facilitate electroluminescence.

The inventive OLEDs can be used in all devices in which electroluminescence is useful. Suitable devices are preferably selected from stationary and mobile visual display units and illumination units. Stationary visual display units are, for example, visual display units of computers, televisions, visual display units in printers, kitchen appliances and advertising panels, illuminations and information panels. Mobile visual display units are, for example, visual display units in cellphones, laptops, digital cameras, vehicles and destination displays on buses and trains.

In addition, the compounds of the formula (II) can be used together with the carbene complex of the formula (I) in OLEDs with inverse structure. Preference is given to using the compounds of the formula (II) used in accordance with the invention in these inverse OLEDs, in turn, as matrix materials in the light-emitting layer together with at least one carbene complex of the formula (I) and/or in at least one further layer of the OLED. The structure of inverse OLEDs and the materials customarily used therein are known to those skilled in the art.

The present invention further relates to a light-emitting layer comprising at least one compound of the formula (II) according to the present invention and at least one carbene complex of the general formula (I) according to the present invention. Preferred compounds of the formula (II) and carbene complexes of the formula (I) are specified above.

In general, the proportion of the at least one compound of the formula (II) in the light-emitting layer of the inventive OLED is from 10 to 99% by weight, preferably from 50 to 99% by weight, more preferably from 70 to 97% by weight. The proportion of the at least one carbene complex of the general formula (I) as an emitter material in the light-emitting layer is generally from 1 to 90% by weight, preferably from 1 to 50% by weight, more preferably from 3 to 30% by weight, where the proportions of the at least one compound of the formula (II) and the at least one carbene complex of the general formula (I) used as an emitter compound add up to 100% by weight. However, it is also possible that the light-emitting layer, as well as the at least one compound of the general formula (II) and the at least one carbene complex of the general formula (I), comprises further substances, for example further diluent material, further matrix material other than the compounds of the formula (II), further diluent material, for example, being specified below.

The present invention further provides for the use of compounds of the general formula II according to the present application as matrix material, hole/exciton blocker material and/or electron/exciton blocker material and/or hole injection material and/or electron injection material and/or hole conductor material and/or electron conductor material in an organic light-emitting diode which comprises at least one carbene complex of the general formula I according to the present application. Preference is given to using the compounds of the formula (II) as matrix materials and/or hole/exciton blocker materials in the inventive OLED.

Preferred compounds of the formula (II), preferred carbene complexes of the formula (I) and preferred embodiments relating to the use of compounds of the formula (II) which have particular substituents in specific layers of the inventive OLEDs are specified above.

The present invention further relates to a device selected from the group consisting of stationary visual display units such as visual display units of computers, televisions, visual display units in printers, kitchen appliances and advertising panels, illuminations, information panels and mobile visual display units, such as visual display units in cellphones, laptops, digital cameras, vehicles and destination displays on buses and trains, and illumination units comprising at least one inventive organic light-emitting diode or at least one inventive light-emitting layer.

The examples which follow provide additional illustration of the invention.

A PREPARATION OF COMPOUNDS OF THE GENERAL FORMULA (II) Example 1 Bromination of N-Substituted Carbazoles Example 1a Synthesis of 9-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3,6-dibromocarbazole

A solution of 9-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-9H-carbazole (2.7 g, 1 eq) in glacial acetic acid (210 ml) is slowly admixed with a solution of bromine (2.3 g, 2.0 eq) in glacial acetic acid (7 ml). After stirring for 1 h, the mixture is admixed with ice-water (1000 ml) and stirred for 1 h. The precipitate is filtered off and washed with water. The residue is recrystallized in ethyl acetate. Yield 55%. ¹H NMR (THF-d8, 400 MHz): δ=7.3 (d, 2H), 7.6 (d, 2H), 8.2 (s, 1H), 8.3 (s, 2H), 8.4 (s, 2H).

Example 1b Synthesis of 9-(3-cyanophenyl)-3,6-dibromocarbazole

A solution of 9-(3-cyanophenyl)-9H-carbazole (3.5 g, 1 eq) in glacial acetic acid (150 ml) is admixed slowly with a solution of bromine (4.1 g, 2.0 eq) in glacial acetic acid (5 ml). After stirring for 3 h, the mixture is admixed with ice-water (500 ml) and stirred for 1 h. The precipitate is filtered off and washed with water. The residue is recrystallized in ethanol. Yield 69%. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ=7.2 (d, 2H), 7.5 (d, 2H), 7.75 (m, 3H), 7.8 (s, 1H), 8.2 (s, 2H).

Example 2 N-Arylation of Carbazole (X in the General Formula III is N—H)

General Procedure:

Carbazole (1 eq), phenyl halide A, potassium carbonate and copper powder are heated to 160-200° C. and stirred overnight at this temperature. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture is extracted with acetone or methylene chloride. The precipitate is filtered off and purified by column chromatography (silica gel, methylene chloride/cyclohexane).

The table which follows summarizes the data of various N-arylations of carbazole which have been carried out according to the general method:

Equiv. A Equiv. K₂CO₃ Mol % Cu T (° C.) Yield Analysis

1.1 1.5 12 165 41 ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ = 7.35 (m, 4H), 7.4 (m, 2H), 7.9 (s, 1H), 8.1 (s, 2H), 8.2 (d, 2H). MALDI- MS: m/z = 379

1.1 1.2 12.5 180 76 ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ = 3.8 (s, 6H), 6.6 (s, 1H), 6.7 (s, 2H), 7.3 (dd, 2H), 7.4 (dd, 2H), 7.5 (d, 2H), 8.1 (d, 2H); MALDI-MS: m/z = 303

1.1 1.2 12.5 180- 200 73 ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ = 3.8 (s, 6H), 3.9 (s, 3H), 6.8 (s, 2H), 7.3 (m, 2H), 7.4 (virtually d, 4H), 8.2 (d, 2H).

1.1 1.2 12.5 175 73 ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ = 7.3 (m, 4H), 7.45 (dd, 2H), 7.7 (dd, 2H), 7.8 (dd, 1H), 7.9 (s, 1H), 8.2 (d, 2H).

Example 3 N-Arylation of Brominated Carbazole Derivatives (X in the General Formula III is N—H)

procedure:

Carbazole (1 eq), phenyl iodide B, potassium carbonate and copper powder are heated to 130-160° C. and stirred at this temperature for 48 h. Cooling to room temperature is followed by extraction with methylene chloride. Recrystallization from EtOH gives the desired product.

The table which follows summarizes the data of various N-arylations of brominated carbazole derivatives which have been carried out according to the general procedure:

Equiv. B Equiv. K₂CO₃ Mol % Cu T (° C.) Yield Analysis

4 2.5 21 130 70 ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ = 3.9 (s, 6H), 4.0 (s, 3H), 6.6 (s, 2H), 7.2 (d, 2H), 7.5 (d, 2H), 8.2 (s, 2H).

2.9 2.6 18 125 68 ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz): δ = 1.4 (s, 9H), 7.25 (d, 2H), 7.37 (d, 2H), 7.47 (d, 2H), 7.6 (d, 2H), 8.2 (s, 2H).

2 1.25 11 130 60 ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ = 3.9 (s, 3H), 7.1 (d, 2H), 7.2 (d, 2H), 7.4 (d, 2H), 7.5 (d, 2H), 8.2 (s, 2H).

Example 4 Coupling of Brominated N-Arylated Carbazole Derivatives and Brominated Dibenzothiophene Derivatives with Silyl Compounds Example 4a Synthesis of 2,8-bis(triphenylsilyl)dibenzothiophene

A solution of 2,8-dibromodibenzothiophene (3.0 g, 1 eq) in dry THF (165 ml) at −78° C. under argon is admixed slowly with n-butyllithium (1.6 M in hexane, 13.7 ml, 2.5 eq), and stirred at −78° C. for 1 h. After adding a solution of chlorotriphenylsilane (6.5 g, 2.5 eq) in dry THF (14 ml) at −78° C., the mixture is warmed to room temperature with stirring overnight. Excess butyllithium is hydrolyzed with saturated ammonium chloride solution. The precipitated product is filtered off and washed thoroughly with THF, water and methyl tert-butyl ether. The combined THF filtrates are concentrated to dryness and stirred with a little ethyl acetate. The precipitate is filtered off and purified by column chromatography (silica gel, ethyl acetate/cyclohexane). Yield: 46%. ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz): δ=7.35-7.41 (m, 12H), 7.44-7.49 (m, 6H), 7.55-7.59 (m, 12H), 7.65 (d, J=8.0, 2H), 7.92 (d, J=8.0, 2H), 8.16 (s, 2H).

Example 4b Synthesis of 9-phenyl-3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)carbazole

A solution of 9-phenyl-3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazole (6.0 g, 1 eq) in dry THF (500 ml) at −78° C. under argon is admixed slowly with n-butyllithium (1.6 M in hexane, 28.2 ml, 3.0 eq) and stirred at −78° C. for 1 h. After adding a solution of chlorotriphenylsilane (13.5 g, 3.0 eq) in dry THF (100 ml) at −78° C., the mixture is warmed to room temperature with stirring overnight. Excess butyllithium is hydrolyzed with saturated ammonium chloride solution. The precipitated product is filtered off and washed thoroughly with CH₂Cl₂. The product precipitates out of the combined CH₂Cl₂ filtrates. Yield: 40%. If the product does not precipitate out, the combined CH₂Cl₂ filtrates are concentrated to dryness. Recrystallization with ethyl acetate gives the product. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ=7.35 (m, 12H), 7.45 (m, 9H), 7.52-7.6 (m, 18H), 8.2 (s, 2H).

Example 4c Synthesis of 9-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)carbazole

A solution of 9-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazole (1.5 g, 1 eq) in dry THF (100 ml) at −78° C. under argon is admixed slowly with n-butyllithium (1.6 M in hexane, 5.6 ml, 3.0 eq) and stirred at −78° C. for 1 h. After adding a solution of chlorotriphenylsilane (2.7 g, 3.0 eq) in dry THF (40 ml) at −78° C., the mixture is warmed to room temperature with stirring overnight. Excess butyllithium is hydrolyzed with saturated ammonium chloride solution. The precipitated product is filtered off and washed thoroughly with methylene chloride. The combined methylene chloride filtrates are concentrated to dryness. The solid is stirred in methanol and filtered off. Yield: 63%. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ=3.8 (s, 6H), 3.9 (s, 3H), 6.75 (s, 2H), 7.3 (m, 12H), 7.4 (m, 8H), 7.6 (m, 14H), 8.2 (s, 2H).

Example 4d Synthesis of 3,6-bis[(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)dimethylsilyl]-9-phenyl-carbazole

A solution of 9-phenyl-3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazole (1.3 g, 1 eq) in dry THF (50 ml) at −78° C. under argon is admixed slowly with n-butyllithium (1.6 M in hexane, 5.1 ml, 2.5 eq) and stirred at −78° C. for 1 h. After adding a solution of 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyldimethylchlorosilane (2.5 g, 2.5 eq) in dry THF (20 ml) at −78° C., the mixture is warmed to room temperature with stirring overnight. Excess butyllithium is hydrolyzed with saturated ammonium chloride solution. The precipitated product is filtered off and washed thoroughly with CH₂Cl₂. The combined methylene chloride filtrates are extracted with water and concentrated to dryness. The residue is purified by column chromatography (silica gel, methylene chloride/cyclohexane). Yield 60%. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ=0.7 (s, 12H), 7.4-7.7 (m, 9H), 7.8 (s, 2H), 8.0 (s, 4H), 8.3 (s, 2H).

Example 4e Synthesis of 3,6-bis[(4-methoxyphenyl)dimethylsilyl]-9-phenylcarbazole

A solution of 9-phenyl-3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazole (1.6 g, 1 eq) in dry THF (20 ml) at −78° C. under argon is admixed slowly with n-butyllithium (1.6 M in hexane, 6.1 ml, 2.5 eq) and stirred at −78° C. for 1 h. After adding a solution of 4-methoxyphenyl-dimethylchlorosilane (2.4 g, 3.1 eq) in dry THF (10 ml) at −78° C., the mixture is warmed to room temperature with stirring overnight. Excess butyllithium is hydrolyzed with saturated ammonium chloride solution. The precipitated product is filtered off and washed thoroughly with CH₂Cl₂. The combined methylene chloride filtrates are extracted with water and concentrated to dryness. The residue is purified by column chromatography (silica gel, hexane/ethyl acetate). Yield 40%. MALDI-MS: m/z=571. HPLC: 99% purity.

Example 4f Synthesis of 9-(3-methoxyphenyl)-3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)carbazole

A solution of 9-(3-methoxyphenyl)-3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazole (2.5 g, 1 eq) in dry THF (100 ml) at −78° C. under argon is admixed slowly with n-butyllithium (1.6 M in hexane, 5.6 ml, 2.5 eq) and stirred at −78° C. for 1 h. After adding a solution of chlorotriphenylsilane (4.3 g, 2.5 eq) in dry THF (40 ml) at −78° C., the mixture is warmed to room temperature with stirring overnight. Excess butyllithium is hydrolyzed with saturated ammonium chloride solution. The precipitated product is filtered off and washed thoroughly with methylene chloride. The combined methylene chloride filtrates are extracted with water and concentrated to dryness. The residue is purified by column chromatography (silica gel, cyclohexane/methylene chloride). Yield 41%. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ=3.9 (s, 3H), 7.05 (d, 2H), 7.15 (m, 14H), 7.20 (m, 8H), 7.55 (d, 2H), 7.60 (d, 12H), 8.2 (s, 2H).

Example 4g Synthesis of 2,8-bis(triphenylsilyl)dibenzofuran

Reaction Procedure:

6.02 g (18.47 mmol) of 2,8-dibromodibenzofuran are suspended in 120 ml of THF and admixed cautiously at −78° C. with 22.9 ml (36.64 mmol) of n-BuLi (1.6M in hexane). Thereafter, the mixture is stirred at −78° C. for 3 h. The reaction mixture is admixed with a solution of 10.91 g (37.00 mmol) of chlorotriphenylsilane in 120 ml of THF, allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The mixture is quenched cautiously with 10 ml of methanol and then concentrated to dryness. The residue is digested first in methanol, then in water and subsequently in methanol again, filtered off and dried. The crude product is dissolved in methylene chloride, filtered through silica gel and crystallized by blanketing with cyclohexane. The crystals are filtered off and dried. 9.28 g (73%) of white powder are obtained.

¹H NMR: (CD₂Cl₂, 500 MHz):

δ=7.35-7.38 (m, 12H, CH_(Ar)), 7.41-7.44 (m, 6H, CH_(Ar)), 7.56-7.57 (m, 12H, CH_(Ar)), 7.58-7.63 (m, 4H, CH_(Ar)), 8.09 (s, 2H, CH_(Ar)).

¹³C NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 125 MHz):

δ=111.5 (2C, CH_(Ar)), 124.0 (2C, C_(quart)), 128.1 (12C, CH_(Ar)), 128.3 (2C, C_(quart)), 129.2 (2C, CH_(Ar)), 129.8 (6C, CH_(Ar)), 134.4 (6C, C_(quart)), 135.6 (2C, CH_(Ar)), 136.5 (12C, CH_(Ar)), 157.5 (2C, C_(quart)).

Mass (El): m/e=684 (M⁺)

Example 4h Synthesis of 3-bromo-9-phenyl-6-triphenylsilylcarbazole

Reaction Procedure:

A solution of 9-(3-methoxyphenyl)-3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazole (26 g, 1 eq) in dry THF (700 ml) is admixed slowly at −78° C. under argon with n-butyllithium (1.6 M in hexane, 41 ml, 1 eq) and stirred at −78° C. for 2 h. After a solution of chlorotriphenylsilane (30 g, 1.5 eq) in dry THF (150 ml) had been added at −78° C., the mixture was warmed to room temperature overnight with stirring. Excess butyllithium is hydrolyzed with saturated ammonium chloride solution. The precipitated reaction product is filtered off and washed thoroughly with methylene chloride. The combined methylene chloride filtrates are extracted with water and concentrated to dryness. The residue is stirred with acetone and filtered off. Yield 74%.

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz):

δ=8.15 (s, 1H), 8.28 (s, 1H), 7.3-7.7 (m, 24H).

Example 4i Synthesis of 3,6-bis(methyldiphenylsilyl)-9-phenylcarbazole

Reaction Procedure:

A solution of 9-phenyl-3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazole (3.1 g, 1 eq) in dry THF (150 ml) is admixed slowly at −78° C. under argon with n-butyllithium (1.6 M in hexane, 12.2 ml, 2.5 eq) and stirred at −78° C. for 1 h. After a solution of diphenylmethylchlorosilane (5.6 g, 3.0 eq) in dry THF (10 ml) has been added at −78° C., the mixture is warmed to room temperature overnight with stirring. Excess butyllithium is hydrolyzed with saturated ammonium chloride solution. The precipitated product is filtered off and washed thoroughly with CH₂Cl₂. Column chromatography (SiO₂, 15:1 cyclohexane/CH₂Cl₂) gives the product. Yield 60%.

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz):

δ=0.9 (s, 6H), 7.3-7.4 (m, 14H), 7.4-7.5 (m, 3H), 7.5-7.6 (m, 12H), 8.25 (s, 2H).

Example 4j Synthesis of 3,6-bis(dimethylpentafluorophenylsilyl)-9-phenylcarbazole

Reaction Procedure:

A solution of 9-phenyl-3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazole (3.1 g, 1 eq) in dry THF (150 ml) is admixed slowly at −78° C. under argon with n-butyllithium (1.6 M in hexane, 12.2 ml, 2.5 eq) and stirred at −78° C. for 1 h. After a solution of flophemesyl chloride (6.1 g, 3.0 eq) in dry THF (10 ml) has been added at −78° C., the mixture is warmed to room temperature overnight with stirring. Excess butyllithium is hydrolyzed with saturated ammonium chloride solution. The precipitated product is filtered off and washed thoroughly with CH₂Cl₂. Column chromatography (C18-SiO₂, MeCN) gives the product. Yield 65%.

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz):

δ=0.8 (s, 12H), 7.38 (d, 2H), 7.5 (m, 3H), 7.6 (m, 4H), 8.35 (s, 2H).

Example 4k Synthesis of bis(9-phenyl-3-triphenylsilylcarbazolyl)dimethylsilane

Reaction Procedure:

Step 1:

A solution of 9-phenyl-3,6-dibromo-9H-carbazole (12 g, 1 eq) in dry THF (230 ml) is admixed slowly at −78° C. under argon with n-butyllithium (1.6 M in hexane, 18.8 ml, 1 eq) and stirred at −78° C. for 1.5 h. After a solution of dichlorodimethylsilane (1.9 g, 0.5 eq) in dry THF (20 ml) has been added at −78° C., the mixture is warmed to room temperature overnight with stirring. Excess butyllithium is hydrolyzed with saturated ammonium chloride solution. The precipitated product is filtered off and washed thoroughly with CH₂Cl₂. Column chromatography (SiO₂, 10:1 hexane/EtOAc) gives the product. Yield 74%.

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ=0.7 (s, 6H), 7.25 (dd, 4H), 7.40 (d, 2H), 7.42-7.50 (m, 6H), 7.55-7.65 (m, 6H) 8.22 (s, 2H), 8.30 (s, 2H).

Step 2:

A solution of product from step 1 (3.5 g, 1 eq) in dry THF (100 ml) is admixed slowly at −78° C. under argon with n-butyllithium (1.6 M in hexane, 7.8 ml, 2.5 eq) and stirred at −78° C. for 1.5 h. After a solution of chlorotriphenylsilane (3.6 g, 2.5 eq) in dry THF (20 ml) has been added at −78° C., the mixture is warmed to room temperature overnight with stirring. Excess butyllithium is hydrolyzed with saturated ammonium chloride solution. The precipitated product is filtered off and washed thoroughly with CH₂Cl₂. Boiling with acetone and filtering off gives the product. Yield: 45%.

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz):

δ=0.65 (s, 6H), 7.28-7.38 (m, 22H), 7.42 (t, 2H), 7.51 (m, 12H), 7.61 (d, 12H) 8.20 (s, 2H), 8.32 (s, 2H).

Example 5 Coupling of Brominated Carbazole Derivatives (X═N—H) to Silyl Compounds Example 5a Synthesis of 3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)-9H-carbazole without intermediate isolation (method 1)

A solution of 3,6-dibromocarbazole (9.1 g, 1 eq) in dry THF (400 ml) at 0° C. under argon is admixed slowly with NaH (60% in mineral oil, 1.3 g, 1.2 eq) and stirred at 0° C. for 2 h. After adding a solution of chlorotriethylsilane (5.1 g, 1.2 eq) in dry THF (80 ml), the solution is stirred at RT (room temperature) for 1 h. The solution is cooled to −78° C. and admixed with n-butyllithium (1.6 M in hexane, 43.8 ml, 2.5 eq) and stirred at −78° C. for 1 h. After adding a solution of chlorotriphenylsilane (29.8 g, 3.5 eq) in dry THF (100 ml) at −78° C., the mixture is warmed to room temperature overnight with stirring. Excess butyllithium is hydrolyzed with saturated ammonium chloride solution. The precipitated product is filtered off and washed thoroughly with methylene chloride. The combined methylene chloride filtrates are extracted by shaking with water and dried over sodium sulfate. The organic phase is admixed with tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride (TBAF, 1 M in THF, 2 ml) and stirred at RT for 4 h. The mixture is concentrated down to 100 ml. The resulting precipitate is filtered and washed with n-hexane. Yield 66%.

¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ=7.4 (m, 20H), 7.6 (m, 14H), 8.18 (s, 2H), 8.20 (s, 1H).

Example 5b Synthesis of 3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)-9H-carbazole with intermediate isolation

i) 3,6-Dibromo-9-triphenylsilylcarbazole

NaH (60% dispersion in oil, 1.5 g, 37 mmol) is added slowly to a cold solution (0° C.) of 3,6-dibromocarbazole (10.4 g, 31 mmol) in dry THF (1000 ml). After stirring for two hours, a solution of ClSiPh₃ (18.7 g, 62 mmol) in dry THF (200 ml) is added at 0° C. The mixture is stirred overnight, and saturated NH₄Cl solution is added. The resulting salt is filtered off, and the organic phase is separated from the aqueous phase. The aqueous phase is extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The organic phase is washed twice with water. The combined organic phases are dried over Na₂SO₄. Filtration through SiO₂ gives the desired product (quantitative).

ii) 3,6,9-Tris(triphenylsilyl)carbazole

tert-BuLi (1.7 M in pentane, 58 ml, 99 mmol) is added slowly to a cold solution (−78° C.) of 3,6-dibromo-9-triphenylsilylcarbazole (90% purity, see i), 13 g, 22 mmol) in dry THF (1000 ml). After stirring at −78° C. for two hours, ClSiPh₃ (34 g, 115 mmol) in dry THF is added. The mixture is stirred overnight, and saturated NH₄Cl solution is added. The resulting salt is filtered off, and the organic phase is separated from the aqueous phase. The aqueous phase is extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The organic phase is washed twice with water. The combined organic phases are dried over Na₂SO₄. After column chromatography (SiO₂; 5:1 cyclohexane:CH₂Cl₂), the pure product is obtained (R_(f)˜0.3, 11 g, 53%).

iii) 3,6-Bis(triphenylsilyl)-9H-carbazole

A TBAF solution (1M in THF, 4.6 ml, 4.6 mmol) is added to a solution of 3,6,9-tris-(triphenylsilyl)carbazole (8.7 g, 9.2 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (150 ml). After stirring for one hour, thin layer chromatography shows complete deprotection. The solvent is removed under reduced pressure, and the residue is heated under reflux in cyclohexane (150 ml). After cooling, the suspension is filtered. The residue is filtered through SiO₂ (10:1 cyclohexane:EtOAc) to obtain the desired product (7.6 g, 97%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ=7.4 (m, 20H), 7.6 (m, 14H), 8.18 (s, 2H), 8.20 (s, 1H).

Example 6 N-Arylation of 3,6-silylated carbazole derivatives (X═N—H)

General Procedure:

3,6-Bis(triphenylsilyl)-9H-carbazole (1 eq), phenyl halide A, potassium carbonate and copper powder are heated to 150-200° C. and stirred overnight at this temperature. After cooling to room temperature, the mixture is extracted with methylene chloride. The precipitate is filtered off and purified by column chromatography (silica gel, methylene chloride/cyclohexane).

The table which follows summarizes the data for different N-arylations of silylated carbazole derivatives which have been carried out according to the general procedure:

Equiv. A Equiv. K₂CO₃ Mol % Cu T (° C.) Yield Analysis

14.5 2.5 21 170 61 ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ = 7.3 (dd, 12H), 7.4 (m, 8H), 7.6 (d, 12H), 7.65 (d, 2H), 7.95 (s, 1H), 8.1 (s, 2H), 8.2 (s, 2H).

6 2.5 21 160 71 ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ = 3.9 (s, 3H), 7.1 (d, 2H), 7.35 (m, 14H), 7.45 (m, 8H), 7.55 (d, 2H), 7.6 (d, 12H), 8.2 (s, 2H).

4 2.5 21 170 50 ¹H NMR (DMF-d7, 400 MHz): δ = 7.5 (m, 18H), 7.6 (d, 12H), 7.7 (m, 4H), 8.0 (t, 1H), 8.1 (d, 1H), 8.2 (d, 1H), 8.3 (s, 2H), 8.35 (s, 1H).

4 2.5 21 155 80 ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ = 7.3- 7.5 (m, 20H), 7.6 (d, 14H), 7.7 (d, 2H), 7.8 (m, 1H), 7.9 (s, 1H), 8.2 (d, 2H).

1.0 Cs₂CO₃  1.75 10 (CuI) 110 62 In nitro- benz. with 0.2 equiv. of phenan- throline ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz): δ = 7.38 (dd, 12H), 7.43 (m, 6H), 7.58 (d, 12H), 7.65 (m, 6H), 8.2 (s, 2H), 8.8 (br, 2H).

2.0 2.5 20 160 73 ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz): δ = 7.38 (m, 12H), 7.42 (m, 8H), 7.58 (d, 12H), 7.61 (d, 2H), 8.2 (s, 2H), 9.05 (s, 2H), 9.15 (s, 1H).

2.0 2.5 22 190 56 ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ = 7.3- 7.7 (m, 58H), 8.15 (s, 1H), 8.22 (s, 2H), 8.28 (s, 1H).

3.9 2.5 20 180 40 ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ = 7.32 (t, 12H), 7.35-7.50 (m, 17H), 7.6 (m, 22H), 7.75 (d, 2H), 8.2 (s, 2H).

3.9 2.5 20 170 45 ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ = 2.5 (s, 6H), 7.20 (d, 2H), 7.3-7.5 (m, 20H), 7.50-7.61 (m, 16H), 7.65 (d, 2H), 7.8 (dd, 2H), 7.9 (d, 2H), 8.2 (s, 2H).

8.0 2.5 20 130 55 ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ = 4.0 (s, 6H), 7.30-7.45 (m, 20H), 7.6 (2 x d, total of 14H), 8.2 (s, 2H), 8.45 (s, 2H), 8.75 (s, 1H).

3.1 2.5 20 160 40 ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ = 7.35 (dd, 12H), 7.42, (m, 6H), 7.50 (m, 6H), 7.58 (m, 16H), 7.72 (m, 6H), 7.88 (dd, 2H), 8.2 (s, 2H).

3.0 2.5 20 180 65 ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ = 2.25 (s, 6H), 7.05 (m, 10H), 7.14, (s, 1H), 7.35 (m, 13H), 7.42 (m, 8H), 7.5 (d, 2H), 7.6 (d, 12H), 8.18 (s, 2H).

6.0 2.5 20 155 85 ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂, 400 MHz): δ = 7.30-7.50 (m, 20H), 7.60 (m, 15H), 7.95 (br, 1H), 8.2 (s, 2H), 8.7 (br, 1H), 8.8 (br, 1H).

3.5 2.5 20 140 57 ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ = 1.35 (t, 3H), 4.40 (q, 2H), 7.4 (m, 20H), 7.60 (m, 14H), 7.63 (t, 1H), 7.75 (d, 1H), 8.12 (d, 1H), 8.19 (s, 2H), 8.22 (s, 1H).

0.5 1.5 20 200 37 ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz): δ = 7.32 (dd, 24H), 7.40 (t, 12H), 7.56 (m, 28H), 7.62 (d, 2H), 7.94 (d, 4H), 8.10 (t, 1H), 8.18 (s, 4H).

2 5   40 210 54 MALDI-MS (m/z) = 1124

Example 7 Trisubstitution of 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine (cyanuric chloride) to prepare 2,4,6-tris-(3,6-bis(triphenylsilanyl)carbazol-9-yl)-1,3,5-triazine

General method: 1.70 g (2.50 mmol) of 3,6-bis(triphenylsilanyl)-9H-carbazole are dissolved in 50 ml of absolute toluene under a nitrogen atmosphere in a 100 ml 2-neck flask equipped with nitrogen inlet and septum. Subsequently, the solution is admixed at room temperature with 1.92 ml (2.50 mmol) of sec-butyllithium (1.3M in cyclohexane) over a period of 10 minutes and stirred for a further 10 minutes. In a 250 ml 3-neck flask equipped with nitrogen inlet, reflux condenser and septum, 0.14 g (0.75 mmol) of cyanuric chloride is dissolved in a mixture of 10 ml of absolute THF and 20 ml of absolute toluene under a nitrogen atmosphere. The carbazole solution is added dropwise to the cyanuric chloride solution by means of a transfer canula over a period of 20 minutes. The reaction mixture is subsequently boiled under reflux for 4 hours.

After cooling to room temperature, the solvent is evaporated and the residue is stirred in 200 ml of hot hexane for 10 minutes. The solid obtained by filtration is washed with diethyl ether, slurried in hot ethanol and hot-filtered. The product is purified by means of column chromatography with a hexane/toluene eluent mixture (1/4, V/V) to obtain 0.84 g (53%) of 2,4,6-tris(3,6-bis(triphenylsilanyl)carbazol-9-yl)-1,3,5-triazine as a white solid.

¹H NMR (250 MHz, CDCl₃)

δ (ppm): 8.97 (d, 6H), 8.08 (s, 6H), 7.63 (d, 6H), 7.60-7.53 (m, 30H), 7.42-7.16 (m, 60H).

MALDI-TOF: m/z=2126.53 (M⁺)

Example 8 Synthesis and analysis of DBT-MIC

3.00 g (7.6 mmol) of imidazolium salt and 0.89 g (3.8 mmol) of silver oxide are suspended in 100 ml of acetonitrile and stirred at 40° C. overnight. Subsequently, the suspension is concentrated to dryness, taken up with 100 ml of anhydrous o-xylene and metered into a solution of 0.51 g (0.76 mmol) of [(μ-Cl)_(η) ⁴-1,5-cod)Ir]₂ and 75 ml o-xylene within a half hour. Thereafter, the mixture is stirred at room temperature for one hour, at 70° C. for two hours and under reflux for 48 hours. After cooling, the reaction mixture is filtered. The filtrate is freed of the solvent under reduced pressure. The residue is extracted with dichloromethane. The extract is freed of the solvent under reduced pressure and then subjected to column chromatography purification (eluent: toluene). Approx. 150 mg (10%) of mer isomer and 70 mg (5%) of fac isomer are obtained, in each case as pale yellow powder.

The imidazolium salt is prepared by deprotonating dibenzothiophene with nBuLi in THF and then brominating with 1,2-dibromoethane. The brominated dibenzothiophene is coupled with imidazole with addition of CuI, K₂CO₃ in NMP. The imidazolium salt is formed by methylation with MeI in THF.

Meridional Isomer:

Mass (MALDI): m/e=980 (M⁺)

Optical spectroscopy: λ=453 nm, 481 nm (5% in 4b, applied by vapor deposition)

-   -   CIE: X=0.15, Y=0.21 (5% in 4b, applied by vapor deposition)

Facial Isomer:

Mass (MALDI): m/e=980 (M⁺)

Optical spectroscopy: λ=476 nm, 504 nm (2% in PMMA, low temperature)

CIE: X=0.21, Y=0.41 (2% in PMMA, low temperature)

B Use Examples Example 1 Preparation of an OLED comprising 9-phenyl-3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)carbazole (Example 4b) as a matrix material (65% by weight) and as a hole/exciton blocker

The ITO substrate used as the anode is cleaned first with commercial detergents for LCD production (Deconex® 20NS and neutralizing agent 25ORGAN-ACID®) and then in an acetone/isopropanol mixture in an ultrasound bath. To eliminate possible organic residues, the substrate is exposed to a continuous ozone flow in an ozone oven for a further 25 minutes. This treatment also improves the hole injection properties of the ITO.

Thereafter, the organic materials specified below are applied to the cleaned substrate by vapor deposition at a rate of approx. 0.5-5 nm/min at about 10⁻⁸ mbar. The hole conductor and exciton blocker applied to the substrate is Ir(dpbic)₃ (V1) with a thickness of 30 nm.

(for preparation, see Ir complex (7) in application WO 2005/019373.)

Subsequently, a mixture of 35% by weight of the compound Ir(CN-PMBIC)₃ (V2)

and 65% by weight of the compound 9-phenyl-3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)carbazole (example 4b) is applied by vapor deposition in a thickness of 40 nm, the former compound serving as an emitter, the latter as a matrix material.

Subsequently, the example 4b material is applied by vapor deposition with a thickness of 5 nm as an exciton and hole blocker.

The synthesis of V2 is described in WO 2006/056418.

Next, an electron transporter TPBI (1,3,5-tris(N-phenylbenzylimidazol-2-yl)benzene) is applied by vapor deposition in a thickness of 50 nm, as are a 0.75 nm-thick lithium fluoride layer and finally a 110 nm-thick Al electrode.

To characterize the OLED, the electroluminescence spectra are recorded at various currents and voltages. In addition, the current-voltage characteristic is measured in combination with the emitted light output. The light output can be converted to photometric parameters by calibration with a photometer. To determine the lifetime, the OLED is operated at a constant current density and the decrease in the light output is recorded. The lifetime is defined as the time taken for the luminance to decrease to half of the initial luminance.

For the OLED described, the following electrooptical data are obtained:

Emission maximum 456 nm CIE(x, y) 0.16; 0.21 Photometric efficiency at 6 V 6.5 cd/A Power efficiency at 6 V 3.4 lm/W External quantum yield at 6 V 6.8% Luminance at 9 V 1000 cd/m²

Example 2 Production of an OLED comprising 9-phenyl-3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)carbazole (example 4b) as an exciton and hole blocker material

The ITO substrate used as the anode is cleaned first with commercial detergents for LCD production (Deconex® 20NS and neutralizing agent 25ORGAN-ACID®) and then in an acetone/isopropanol mixture in an ultrasound bath. To eliminate possible organic residues, the substrate is exposed to a continuous ozone flow in an ozone oven for a further 25 minutes. This treatment also improves the hole injection properties of the ITO.

Thereafter, the organic materials specified below are applied to the cleaned substrate by vapor deposition at a rate of approx. 0.5-5 nm/min at about 10⁻⁸ mbar. The hole conductor and exciton blocker applied to the substrate is Ir(dpbic)₃ (V1) with a thickness of 45 nm.

(for preparation, see Ir complex (7) in application WO 2005/019373).

Subsequently, a mixture of 10% by weight of compound V5

and 90% by weight of the compound Ir(dpbic)₃ is applied by vapor deposition in a thickness of 40 nm, the former compound functioning as an emitter, the latter as a matrix material.

The synthesis of V5 is described in the prior application EP0710755.1.

Subsequently, the material 9-phenyl-3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)carbazole (example 4b) is applied by vapor deposition with a thickness of 10 nm as an exciton and hole blocker.

Next, an electron transporter BCP (2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline is applied by vapor deposition in a thickness of 50 nm, as are a 0.75 nm-thick lithium fluoride layer and finally a 110 nm-thick Al electrode.

To characterize the OLED, the electroluminescence spectra are recorded at various currents and voltages. In addition, the current-voltage characteristic is measured in combination with the emitted light output. The light output can be converted to photometric parameters by calibration with a photometer. To determine the lifetime, the OLED is operated at a constant current density and the decrease in the light output is recorded. The lifetime is defined as the time taken for the luminance to decrease to half of the initial luminance.

For the OLED described, the following electrooptical data are obtained:

Emission maximum 456 nm CIE(x, y) 0.16; 0.21 Photometric efficiency at 4 V 15.5 cd/A Power efficiency at 4 V 12.2 lm/W External quantum yield at 4 V 10.0% Luminance at 10 V 2000 cd/m²

Example 3 Production of an OLED comprising 9-phenyl-3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)carbazole (example 4b) as a matrix material (93% by weight) and as a hole/exciton blocker

The ITO substrate used as the anode is cleaned first with commercial detergents for LCD production (Deconex® 20NS and neutralizing agent 25ORGAN-ACID®) and then in an acetone/isopropanol mixture in an ultrasound bath. To eliminate possible organic residues, the substrate is exposed to a continuous ozone flow in an ozone oven for a further 25 minutes. This treatment also improves the hole injection properties of the ITO.

Thereafter, the organic materials specified below are applied to the cleaned substrate by vapor deposition at a rate of approx. 0.5-5 nm/min at about 10⁻⁸ mbar. The hole conductor and exciton blocker applied to the substrate is Ir(dpbic)₃ with a thickness of 45 nm.

(for preparation, see Ir complex (7) in application WO 2005/019373.)

Subsequently a mixture of 7% by weight of compound V5

and 93% by weight of the compound 9-phenyl-3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)carbazole (example 4b) is applied by vapor deposition in a thickness of 40 nm, the former compound functioning as an emitter, the latter as a matrix material.

Subsequently, the material 9-phenyl-3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)carbazole (example 4b) is applied by vapor deposition with a thickness of 10 nm as an exciton and hole blocker.

Next, an electron transporter TPBI is applied by vapor deposition in a thickness of 40 nm, as are a 0.75 nm-thick lithium fluoride layer and finally a 110 nm-thick Al electrode.

To characterize the OLED, the electroluminescence spectra are recorded at various currents and voltages. In addition, the current-voltage characteristic is measured in combination with the emitted light output. The light output can be converted to photometric parameters by calibration with a photometer. To determine the lifetime, the OLED is operated at a constant current density and the decrease in the light output is recorded. The lifetime is defined as the time taken for the luminance to decrease to half of the initial luminance.

For the OLED described, the following electrooptical data are obtained:

Emission maximum 451 nm CIE(x, y) 0.15; 0.13 Photometric efficiency at a luminance of 7.4 cd/A 1000 cd/m² Power efficiency at a luminance of 1000 2.0 lm/W cd/m² External quantum yield at a luminance of 6.0% 1000 cd/m² Luminance at 10 V 361 cd/m²

Example 4 Production of an OLED comprising UGH 3 as a matrix material and as a hole/exciton blocker and 9-phenyl-3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)carbazole as an intermediate layer

The ITO substrate used as the anode is cleaned first with commercial detergents for LCD production (Deconex® 20NS and neutralizing agent 25ORGAN-ACID®) and then in an acetone/isopropanol mixture in an ultrasound bath. To eliminate possible organic residues, the substrate is exposed to a continuous ozone flow in an ozone oven for a further 25 minutes. This treatment also improves the hole injection properties of the ITO.

Thereafter, the organic materials specified below are applied to the cleaned substrate by vapor deposition at a rate of approx. 0.5-5 nm/min at about 10⁻⁸ mbar. The hole conductor and exciton blocker applied to the substrate is Ir(dpbic)₃ with a thickness of 45 nm.

(for preparation, see Ir complex (7) in application WO 2005/019373.)

Subsequently, a mixture of 7% by weight of compound V5

and 93% by weight of compound UGH3 are applied by vapor deposition in a thickness of 40 nm, the former compound functioning as an emitter, the latter as a matrix material.

Subsequently, the material UGH3 is applied with a thickness of 10 nm as an exciton and hole blocker.

Next, a material combination composed of 4 nm of 9-phenyl-3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)-carbazole (example 4b) and 36 nm of TPBI as an electron transporter is applied by vapor deposition, as are a 0.75 nm-thick lithium fluoride layer and finally a 110 nm-thick Al electrode.

To characterize the OLED, the electroluminescence spectra are recorded at various currents and voltages. In addition, the current-voltage characteristic is measured in combination with the emitted light output. The light output can be converted to photometric parameters by calibration with a photometer. To determine the lifetime, the OLED is operated at a constant current density and the decrease in the light output is recorded. The lifetime is defined as the time taken for the luminance to decrease to half of the initial luminance.

For the OLED described, the following electrooptical data are obtained:

Emission maximum 451 nm CIE(x, y) 0.15; 0.13 Photometric efficiency at a luminance of 5.1 cd/A 1000 cd/m² Power efficiency at a luminance of 1000 0.9 lm/W cd/m² External quantum yield at a luminance of 4.4% 1000 cd/m² Luminance at 10 V 40 cd/m²

The ratio of the lifetimes of the OLED according to example 3 and of the OLED according to example 4 is 4:1.

Example 5 Typical working method 1 for the production of an OLED

The ITO substrate used as the anode is first cleaned with commercial detergents for LCD production (Deconex® 20NS and 25ORGAN-ACID® neutralizing agent) and then in an acetone/isopropanol mixture in a ultrasound bath. To remove possible organic residues, the substrate is exposed to a continuous ozone flow in an ozone oven for a further 25 minutes. This treatment also improves the hole injection properties of the ITO.

Thereafter, the organic materials specified below are applied by vapor deposition to the cleaned substrate at a rate of approx. 0.5-5 nm/min at approx 10⁻⁸ mbar. The hole conductor and exciton blocker applied to the substrate is Ir(dpbic)₃ with a thickness of 45 nm.

(for preparation see Ir complex (7) in the application WO 2005/019373).

Subsequently, a mixture of 7.5% by weight of compound V5

and 92.5% by weight of the compound 9-phenyl-3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)carbazole (example 4b) is applied by vapor deposition in a thickness of 40 nm, the former compound functioning as the emitter, the latter as the matrix material.

Subsequently, the material 9-phenyl-3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)carbazole (example 4b) is applied by vapor deposition with a thickness of 10 nm as an exciton and hole blocker.

Next, an electron transporter BCP (2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) is applied by vapor deposition in a thickness of 50 nm, as are a 0.75 nm-thick lithium fluoride layer and finally a 110 nm-thick Al electrode.

To characterize the OLED, electroluminescence spectra are recorded at different currents and voltages. In addition, the current-voltage characteristic is measured in combination with the light output emitted. The light output can be converted to photometric parameters by calibration with a photometer.

The construction of the particular OLED is specified in the right-hand column of table 1 (device structure). The particular OLED is produced according to the typical working method specified above. The values for power efficiency, quantum efficiency (QE) and voltage reported in table 1 are relative values, based in each case on a reference OLED which is identical in terms of structure to the particular OLED and differs from the particular inventive OLED in that 9-phenyl-3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)carbazole (example 4b) is used both as a matrix and as an exciton and hole blocker. The values for the power efficiency, quantum efficiency (QE) and voltage reported in table 1 are defined as 100% for the particular reference OLED. A comparison of a diode in which 9-phenyl-3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)carbazole (example 4b) is used both as the matrix and as an exciton and hole blocker with a diode having an identical structure in which, instead of 9-phenyl-3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)carbazole (example 4b), (the synthetically significantly more difficult to obtain) 9-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)carbazole is used shows that the electroluminescence data of the two OLEDs differ from one another only insignificantly. The OLED used in each case as the reference OLED, which comprises 9-phenyl-3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)carbazole (example 4b) both as the matrix and as an exciton and hole blocker thus also serves as the reference for an OLED which comprises 9-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)carbazole both as the matrix and as an exciton and hole blocker.

Voltage (Power at 300 efficiency nits/ (max)/ voltage power QE (max)/ at 300 Device structure (ITO 125 +/− efficiency QE nits 20 nm) (max, (max, (stan- (analogous to typical working standard)) standard)) dard) method, exchange of 4b for novel Material Structure Function 100% 100% 100% material) 4b (standard)

matrix + blocker 100 100 100 see working method specified above 6a

blocker 121 123 99 V1 (45 nm)//8.5% V5:4b (40 nm)//6a (10 nm)//BCP (50 nm)//LiF//Alu matrix 106 100 103 V1 (45 nm)//8.5% V5:6a (40 nm)//4b (10 nm)//BCP (50 nm)//LiF//Alu matrix + 111 100 93 V1 (45 nm)//8.5% V5:6a (40 nm)//6a blocker (10 nm)//BCP (50 nm)//LiF//Alu 6b

blocker  99  98 100 V1 (45 nm)//8.5% V5:4b (40 nm)//6b (10 nm)//BCP (50 nm)//LiF//Alu matrix 109 108 95 V1 (45 nm)//8.5% V5:6b (40 nm)//4b (10 nm)//BCP (50 nm)//LiF//Alu matrix + 106 106 98 V1 (45 nm)//8.5% V5:6b (40 nm)//6b blocker (10 nm)//BCP (50 nm)//LiF//Alu 6c

matrix + blocker no comp- arable reference values available no comp- arable reference values available 75 V1 (40 nm)//7.5% V5:6c (40 nm)//6c (5 nm)//BCP (50 nm)//LiF//Alu 6d

matrix + blocker no comp- arable reference values available no comp- arable reference values available 87 V1 (40 nm)//7.5% V5:6d (40 nm)//6d (5 nm)//BCP (50 nm)//LiF//Alu 6e

blocker 124 130 94 10% MoO₃:V1 (35 nm)//V1 (10 nm)//7.5% V5:4b (40 nm)//6e (10 nm)//BCP (50 nm)//LiF//Alu matrix 118 109 84 10% MoO₃:V1 (35 nm)//V1 (10 nm)//7.5% V5:6e (40 nm)//4b (10 nm)//BCP (50 nm)//LiF//Alu matrix + 144 139 78 10% MoO₃:V1 (35 nm)//V1 blocker (10 nm)//7.5% V5:6e (40 nm)//6e (10 nm)//BCP (50 nm)//LiF//Alu 6f

blocker 158 177 92 V1 (45 nm)//7.5% V5:V1 (10 nm)//7.5% V5:4b (40 nm)//6f (10 nm)//BCP (40 nm)//LiF//Alu matrix 125 117 74 V1 (45 nm)//8.5% V5:V1 (10 nm)//8.5% V5:6f (40 nm)//4b (10 nm)//BCP (40 nm)//LiF//Alu matrix + 138 137 65 V1 (45 nm)//8.5% V5:V1 blocker (10 nm)//8.5% V5:6f (40 nm)//6f (10 nm)//BCP (40 nm)//LiF//Alu 6m

blocker 113 113 86 NPD (45 nm)//8.5% V5:4b (40 nm)//6m (10 nm)//BCP (40 nm)//LiF//Alu matrix 126 124 87 NPD (45 nm)//8.5% V5:6m (40 nm)//4b (10 nm)//BCP (40 nm)//LiF//Alu matrix + 151 149 94 NPD (45 nm)//8.5% V5:6m blocker (40 nm)//6m (10 nm)//BCP (40 nm)//LiF//Alu matrix + 130 135 78 V1 (45 nm)//8.5% V5:V1 blocker (10 nm)//8.5% V5:6m (40 nm)//6m (10 nm)//BCP (40 nm)//LiF//Alu

Example 6

The OLEDs specified below in table 2 are produced according to the typical working method 1 specified in example 5. The table which follows reports the electroluminescence data (power efficiency, quantum efficiency (QE) and voltage) for various inventive OLEDs. In the OLEDs specified below, instead of the material 9-phenyl-3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)carbazole (example 4b) according to the typical working method of example 5, another compound of the formula II was used in each case as the matrix material and/or blocker material. Otherwise, the OLEDs specified below do not differ from the OLED described above.

TABLE 2 Power efficiency QE Device structure (ITO 125 +/− 20 nm) (max) (max) V at 300 nits (analogous to typical working method, Material Function (cd/A) (%) (V) exchange of 4b for novel material) 4a

matrix + blocker 10.8 7.2 8.7 V1 (45 nm)//8.5% V5:4a (40 nm)//4a (10 nm)//TPBI (50 nm)//LiF//Alu 4g

blocker 7.9 7.0 9.7 10% MoO₃:V1 (35 nm)//V1 (10 nm)//7.5% V5:4b (40 nm)//4g (10 nm)//BCP (40 nm)//LiF//Alu matrix 8.4 7.1 8.9 10% MoO₃:V1 (35 nm)//V1 (10 nm)//7.5% V5:4g (40 nm)//4b (10 nm)//BCP (40 nm)//LiF//Alu matrix + 9.7 8.2 8.1 10% MoO₃:V1 (35 nm)//V1 (10 blocker nm)//7.5% V5:4g (40 nm)//4g (10 nm)//BCP (40 nm)//LiF//Alu

Example 7 Typical working method 2 for production of an OLED

The ITO substrate used as the anode is first cleaned with commercial detergents for LCD production (Deconex® 20NS and 25ORGAN-ACID® neutralizing agent) and then in an acetone/isopropanol mixture in an ultrasound bath. To remove possible organic residues, the substrate is exposed to a continuous ozone flow in an ozone oven for a further 25 minutes. This treatment also improves the hole injection properties of the ITO.

Thereafter, the organic materials specified below are applied by vapor deposition to the cleaned substrate at a rate of approx. 0.5-5 nm/min at approx 10⁻⁸ mbar. The hole conductor and exciton blocker applied to the substrate is Ir(dpbic)₃ with a thickness of 45 nm.

(for preparation see Ir complex (7) in the application WO 2005/019373).

Subsequently, a mixture of 7% by weight of the compound V6-R

and 93% by weight of the compound Ir(dpbic)₃ (V1) is applied by vapor deposition in a thickness of 40 nm, the former compound functioning as the emitter, the latter as the matrix material.

Subsequently, the material 9-(4-phenyl)-3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)-9H-carbazole (4b) is applied by vapor deposition with a thickness of 10 nm as an exciton and hole blocker

Next, an electron transporter BCP (2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) is applied by vapor deposition in a thickness of 45 nm, as are a 0.75 nm-thick lithium fluoride layer and finally a 110 nm-thick Al electrode.

To characterize the OLED, electroluminescence spectra are recorded at different currents and voltages. In addition, the current-voltage characteristic is measured in combination with the light output emitted. The light output can be converted to photometric parameters by calibration with a photometer.

For the OLEDs described, the following electrooptical data specified in table 3 are obtained:

TABLE 3 Emission Photometric maximum efficiency at 4 V Power efficiency External quantum Luminance at R = Material (nm) CIE(x, y) (cd/A) at 4 V (Im/W) yield at 4 V (%) 10 V (cd/m²) methyl

451/478 0.16; 0.21 13.2 10.4 7.1 490 o-tolyl

455/478 0.17; 0.2  7.7 6.0 5.1 810 o-Tolyl

448/476 0.16; 0.16 9.1 7.2 6.7 740 i-Propyl

449/476 0.16; 0.19 14.6 11.4 9.9 575 Phenyl

449/476 nm 0.16; 0.17 15 11.8 11.2 890

Example 8

The ITO substrate used as the anode is first cleaned with commercial detergents for LCD production (Deconex® 20NS and 25ORGAN-ACID® neutralizing agent) and then in an acetone/isopropanol mixture in a ultrasound bath. To remove possible organic residues, the substrate is exposed to a continuous ozone flow in an ozone oven for a further 25 minutes. This treatment also improves the hole injection properties of the ITO.

Thereafter, the organic and inorganic materials specified below are applied by vapor deposition to the cleaned substrate at a rate of approx. 0.1-5 nm/min at about 10⁻⁸ mbar. As the doped hole conductor, Ir(dpbic)₃ is doped to an extent of 10% with MoO₃ and applied to the substrate with a thickness of 35 nm. A further 10 nm of undoped Ir(dpbic)₃ follow as the hole conductor and exciton blocker.

(for preparation see Ir complex (7) in the application WO 2005/019373).

Subsequently, a mixture of 7.5% by weight of the compound V7

and 92.5% by weight of the compound SiCz is applied by vapor deposition in a thickness of 50 nm, the former compound functioning as the emitter, the latter as the matrix material.

Subsequently, the material 9-(4-phenyl)-3,6-bis(triphenylsilyl)-9H-carbazole (4b) is applied by vapor deposition with a thickness of 10 nm as an exciton and hole blocker.

Next, an electron transporter BCP 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline is applied by vapor deposition in a thickness of 40 nm, as are a 0.75 nm-thick lithium fluoride layer and finally a 110 nm-thick Al electrode.

To characterize the OLED, electroluminescence spectra are recorded at different currents and voltages. In addition, the current-voltage characteristic is measured in combination with the light output emitted. The light output can be converted to photometric parameters by calibration with a photometer.

For the OLED described, the following electrooptical data are obtained:

Emission maximum 453 nm CIE(x, y) 0.16; 0.17 Photometric efficiency at 8 V 10.5 cd/A Power efficiency at 8 V 4.1 lm/W External quantum yield at 8 V 7.9% Luminance at 13 V 1100 cd/m² 

1. An organic light-emitting diode comprising an anode An, a cathode Ka, and a light-emitting layer E which is arranged between the anode An and the cathode Ka and comprises at least one carbene complex represented by the formula I:

wherein M¹ is a metal atom selected from the group consisting of a metal of group IB, IIB, IIIB, IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB, the lanthanides and IIIA of the Periodic Table of the Elements (CAS version) in any oxidation state possible for the particular metal atom; carbene is a carbene ligand which may be uncharged or monoanionic and mono-, bi- or tridentate; the carbene ligand may be a bis- or triscarbene ligand; L is a mono- or dianionic ligand which may be mono- or bidentate; K is an uncharged mono- or bidentate ligand; n is the number of carbene ligands, where n is at least 1 and the carbene ligands in the complex represented by the formula I, when n>1, may be the same or different; m is the number of ligands L, where m may be 0 or ≧1, and the ligands L, when m>1, may be the same or different; o is the number of ligands K, where o may be 0 or ≧1, and the ligands K, when o>1, may be the same or different; p is the charge of the complex: 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; W is a monoanionic counterion; where the sum of n+m+o and the charge p depend on the oxidation state and a coordination number of the metal atom, on the charge of the complex and on the denticity of the carbene, L and K ligands, and on the charge of the carbene and L ligands, with the proviso that n is at least 1; and optionally, at least one further layer, wherein the organic light-emitting diode comprises at least one compound represented by the formula II which is present in the light-emitting layer E or in the at least one further layer, or both,

wherein X is NR¹, S, O, PR¹, SO₂ or SO; R¹ is a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring atoms; R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, or a structure represented by the formula (c):

wherein R^(a), R^(b) are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring atoms or a substituent with donor or acceptor action selected from the group consisting of: C₁-C₂₀-alkoxy, C₆-C₃₀-aryloxy, C₁-C₂₀-alkylthio, C₆-C₃₀-arylthio, SiR¹⁴R¹⁵R¹⁶, halogen radicals, halogenated C₁-C₂₀-alkyl radicals, carbonyl (—CO(R¹⁴)), carbonylthio (—C═O (SR¹⁴)), carbonyloxy (—C═O(OR¹⁴)), oxycarbonyl (—OC═O(R¹⁴)), thiocarbonyl (—SC═O(R¹⁴)), amino (—NR¹⁴R¹⁵), OH, pseudohalogen radicals, amino (—C═O(NR¹⁴)), —NR¹⁴C═O(R¹⁵), phosphonate (—P(O)(OR¹⁴)₂, phosphate (—OP(O) (OR¹⁴)₂), phosphine (—PR¹⁴R¹⁵), phosphine oxide (—P(O)R¹⁴ ₂), sulfate (—OS(O)₂OR¹⁴), sulfoxide (—S(O)R¹⁴), sulfonate (—S(O)₂OR¹⁴), sulfonyl (—S(O)₂R¹⁴), sulfonamide (—S(O)₂NR¹⁴R¹⁵), NO₂, boronic esters (—OB(OR¹⁴)₂), imino (—C═NR¹⁴R¹⁵)), borane radicals, stannane radicals, hydrazine radicals, hydrazone radicals, oxime radicals, nitroso groups, diazo groups, vinyl groups, sulfoximines, alanes, germanes, boroximes and borazines; R¹⁴, R¹⁵, R¹⁶ are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, or a substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl; q, r are each independently 0, 1, 2 or 3; where, when q or r is 0, all substitutable positions of the aryl radical are substituted by hydrogen, wherein the radicals and the indices in the group represented by the formula (c) X′″, R^(5′″), R^(6′″), R^(7′″), R^(a′″), R^(b′″), q′″ and r′″ are each independently as defined for the radicals and the indices of the compounds represented by the formula (II) X, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R^(a), R^(b), q and r, wherein, if X is NR¹, at least one of the R¹ to R⁷, R^(a) and R^(b) radicals in the compounds represented by the formula (II) comprises at least one heteroatom.
 2. The organic light-emitting diode according to claim 1, further comprising at least one layer selected from the group consisting of: at least one blocking layer for electrons/excitons, at least one blocking layer for holes/excitons, at least one hole injection layer, at least one hole conductor layer, at least one electron injection layer and at least one electron conductor layer.
 3. The organic light-emitting diode according to claim 1, wherein the at least one of the R², R³ and R⁴ radicals or the at least one of the R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ radicals, or a mixture thereof, is a substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl.
 4. The organic light-emitting diode according to claim 1, wherein the compound represented by the formula (II) is a 3,6-disilyl-substituted compound represented by the formula (IIa):

wherein X is NR¹, S, O, PR¹, SO₂ or SO; R¹ is a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring atoms; R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, or a structure represented by the formula (c); R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², R¹³ are each independently hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring atoms, or a substituent with donor or acceptor action.
 5. The organic light-emitting diode according to claim 1, wherein X is NR¹; R¹ is a substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring atoms; R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, or a substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, a structure represented by the formula (c); wherein at least one of the R², R³ and R⁴ radicals or at least one of the R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ radicals, or a mixture thereof, is a substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl; R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², R¹³ are each independently hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring atoms or a substituent with donor or acceptor action; R¹⁴, R¹⁵, R¹⁶ are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl or a substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl.
 6. The organic light-emitting diode according to claim 1, wherein the R¹ radical or at least one of the radicals from the group of R², R³ and R⁴ or at least one of the radicals from the group of R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷, or a mixture thereof, is independently a substituted or unsubstituted C₆-aryl represented by the following formula:

wherein p is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; R¹⁷ is hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring atoms, a substituent with donor or acceptor action, or a radical represented by the following formula a or b:

wherein X′ is N or P, and the radicals and the indices X″, R^(2′), R^(3′), R^(4′), R^(5′), R^(5″), R^(6′), R^(6″), R^(7′), R^(7″), R^(a′), R^(a″), R^(b′), R^(b″), q′, q″, r′ and r″ are each independently as defined for the radicals and the indices X, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R^(a), R^(b), q and r; or one of the R², R³ and R⁴ radicals or one of the R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ radicals, or a mixture thereof, is a radical represented by the following formula c:

wherein the radicals and the indices X′″, R^(5′″), R^(6′″), R^(7′″), R^(a′″), R^(b′″), q′″ and r′″ are each independently as defined for the radicals and the indices X, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R^(a), R^(b), q and r.
 7. The organic light-emitting diode according to claim 1, comprising at least one further layer selected from the group consisting of a blocking layer for electrons, a hole injection layer and a hole conductor layer, wherein the at least one compound represented by the formula (II) is present in the at least one further layer or the light-emitting layer, or both, wherein the compound represented by the formula (II) has at least one R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ or R⁷ radical which is selected from the group consisting of a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, a heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring atoms, an unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, an alkyl-substituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, a C₆-C₃₀-aryl substituted by at least one substituent with donor action, a C₆-C₃₀-aryl substituted by a heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring atoms, and a substituent with donor action.
 8. The organic light-emitting diode according to claim 1, wherein the at least one further layer which may be present is selected from the group consisting of a blocking layer for holes, an electron injection layer and an electron conductor layer, wherein the at least one compound represented by the formula (II) is present in the at least one further layer or the light-emitting layer, or both, wherein the compound represented by the formula (II) has at least one R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ or R⁷ radical which is selected from the group consisting of a C₁-C₂₀-alkyl substituted by at least one substituent with acceptor action, a C₆-C₃₀-aryl substituted by at least one substituent with acceptor action, a C₆-C₃₀-aryl substituted by at least one heteroaryl radical having from 5 to 30 ring atoms, and a substituent with acceptor action.
 9. A light-emitting layer comprising at least one compound represented by the formula (II) according to claim 1 and at least one carbene complex represented by the formula (I) according to claim
 1. 10. A method comprising adding at least one compound represented by the formula (II) according to claim 1 as to a matrix material, a hole/exciton blocker material, an electron/exciton blocker material, a hole injection material, an electron injection material, a hole conductor material, or an electron conductor material in an organic light-emitting diode which comprises at least one carbene complex represented by the formula I according to claim 1, or a mixture thereof.
 11. A device selected from the group consisting of a stationary visual display unit and a mobile visual display unit, and illumination units, and comprising at least one organic light-emitting diode according to claim
 1. 12. The organic light-emitting diode according to claim 4, wherein R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², R¹³ are each independently hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, phenyl, CF₃ or SiR¹⁴R¹⁵R¹⁶, wherein at least one of the R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ radicals is a substituted phenyl, and wherein, if X is NR¹, at least one of the R¹ to R⁷, or R⁸ to R¹³ radicals in the compounds represented by the formula (IIa) comprises at least one heteroatom.
 13. The organic light-emitting diode according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ radicals is a substituted phenyl, and wherein at least one of R¹ to R⁷ or R⁸ to R¹³ radicals in the compounds represented by the formula (II) comprises at least one heteroatom.
 14. The organic light-emitting diode according to claim 4 wherein R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², R¹³ are each independently hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₆-alkyl or a substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₁₀-aryl or SiR¹⁴R¹⁵R¹⁶.
 15. A compound represented by the formula II:

wherein X is NR¹, S, O, PR¹, SO₂ or SO; is a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring atoms; R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, or a structure represented by the following formula (c):

wherein R^(a), R^(b)) are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring atoms, or a substituent with donor or acceptor action selected from the group consisting of: C₁-C₂₀-alkoxy, C₆-C₃₀-aryloxy, C₆-C₃₀-arylthio, SiR¹⁴R¹⁵R¹⁶, halogen radicals, halogenated C₁-C₂₀-alkyl radicals, carbonyl (—CO(R¹⁴)), carbonylthio (—C═O(Se)), carbonyloxy (—C═O(OR¹⁴)), oxycarbonyl (—OC═O(R¹⁴)), thiocarbonyl (—SC═O(R¹⁴)), amino (—NR¹⁴R¹⁵), OH, pseudohalogen radicals, amido (—C═O(NR¹⁴)), —NR¹⁴C═O(R¹⁵), phosphonate (—P(O) (OR¹⁴)₂), phosphate (—OP(O)(OR¹⁴)₂), phosphine (—PR¹⁴R¹⁵), phosphine oxide (—P(O)R¹⁴ ₂), sulfate (—OS(O)₂OR¹⁴), sulfoxide (—S(O)R¹⁴), sulfonate (—S(O)₂OR¹⁴), sulfonyl (—S(O)₂R¹⁴), sulfonamide (—S(O)₂NR¹⁴R¹⁵), NO₂, boronic esters (—OB(OR¹⁴)₂), imino (—C═NR¹⁴R¹⁵)), borane radicals, stannane radicals, hydrazine radicals, hydrazone radicals, oxime radicals, nitroso groups, diazo groups, vinyl groups, sulfoximines, alanes, germanes, boroximes and borazines; R¹⁴, R¹⁵, R¹⁶ are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl or a substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl; q, r are each independently 0, 1, 2 or 3; where when q or r is 0, all substitutable positions of the aryl radical are substituted by hydrogen, wherein the radicals and the indices in the group represented by the formula (c) X′″, R^(5′″), R^(6′″), R^(7′″), R^(a′″), R^(b′″), q′″ and r′″ are each independently as defined for the radicals and indices of the compounds represented by the formula (II) X, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R^(a), R^(b), q and r; wherein, when X is NR¹, at least one of the R¹ to R⁷, R^(a) and R^(b) radicals in the compounds represented by the formula (II) comprises at least one heteroatom.
 16. A compound according to claim 15, wherein at least one of the R², R³ and R⁴ radicals or at least one of the R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ radicals, or a mixture thereof, is a substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl.
 17. A compound according to claim 15, wherein the compound represented by the formula (II) is a 3,6-disilyl-substituted compound represented by the following formula (IIa):

wherein X is NR¹, S, O, PR¹, SO₂ or SO; R¹ is a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, or a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring atoms; R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, or a structure represented by the formula (c); R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², R¹³ are each independently hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₂₀-aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring atoms, or a substituent with donor or acceptor action.
 18. A compound according to claim 15, wherein the R¹ radical or at least one of the radicals from the group of R², R³ and R⁴ or at least one of the radicals from the group of R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷, or a mixture thereof, are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted C₆-aryl represented by the following formula:

wherein p is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; R¹⁷ is hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C₁-C₂₀-alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted C₆-C₃₀-aryl, a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl having from 5 to 30 ring atoms, a substituent with donor or acceptor action, or a radical represented by the following formula a or b:

wherein X′ is N or P, and the radicals and indices X″, R^(2′), R^(3′), R^(4′), R^(5′),R^(5′), R^(6′), R^(6″), R^(7′), R^(7″), R^(a′), R^(b′), R^(b″), q′, q″, r′ and r″ are each independently as defined for the radicals and indices X, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R^(a), R^(b), q and r; or one of the R², R³ and R⁴ radicals or one of the R⁵, R⁶ and R⁷ radicals, or a mixture thereof, is a radical represented by the following formula c:

in which the radicals and the indices X′″, R^(5′″)R^(6′″), R^(7′″), R^(a′″), R^(b′″), q′″ and r′″ are each independently as defined for the radicals and the indices X, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R^(a), R^(b), q; and r.
 19. A process for preparing compounds represented by the formula (II) according to claim 15, the process comprising: proceeding from a base structure represented by the formula (III):

wherein X is NR¹, SO, SO₂, S, O or PR¹ or NH or PH or PPh, the R¹, R^(a), R^(b), SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals, introducing the R^(a) and R^(b) radicals into the compounds represented by formula (III), by one of the following variants a), b), c) and d), variant a) ia) preparing a precursor compound suitable for introducing the R^(a), R^(b), SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals, iia) introducing the R¹ radical, iiia) introducing the R^(a), R^(b) radicals, where present, and the SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals; or variant b) ib) introducing the R¹ radical, iib) preparing a precursor compound suitable for introducing the R^(a), R^(b), SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals, iiib) introducing the R^(a), R^(b) radicals, where present, and the SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals; or variant c) ic) preparing a precursor compound suitable for introducing the R^(a), R^(b), SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals, iic) introducing the R^(a), R^(b) radicals, where present, and the SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals, iiic) introducing the R¹ radical; or variant d) id) preparing a precursor compound suitable for introducing the R^(a), R^(b), SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals, iid) introducing the R^(a), R^(b) radicals, where present, and the SiR²R³R⁴ and SiR⁵R⁶R⁷ radicals.
 20. The compound according to claim 17, wherein at least one of the R¹⁴, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ radicals is a substituted phenyl. 